In Jeffco, our PTA’s are passionate about supporting our schools, much of that is done through fundraising. PTA members/volunteers work hard to fill the gaps that our local and state funding misses. Sadly, there’s just not enough Butter Braids, wrapping paper, or cookie dough to do the job.
That is why we have endorsed and are encouraging you to support Amendment B to repeal the Gallagher Amendment to prevent additional funding cuts to our schools.
Our schools rely on local funding first before receiving the state’s share. What is not covered by the local level is supposed to be backfilled by the state. In Jeffco, 48% of our property taxes go to fund our schools. Unfortunately, the state is not just millions of dollars behind in backfilling their share, but over One Billion dollars behind.
If the Residential Assessment Rate (determined by Gallagher) is allowed to drop yet again, we will be looking at a $490 million drop in all district revenues (Per State Property Tax Administrator JoAnn Groff to the Joint Budget Committee in May). Our own Jeffco Public Schools’ currently estimate a loss of $30M.
PTA’s true mission is advocacy. We’d much rather be spending our resources advocating for students, families and schools in ways other than selling cookie dough to fill what seems to be a bottomless hole in school funding. Amendment B preserves local funding for our public schools and other local districts.
Please join us in supporting Amendment B.
Jefferson County Council Parent Teacher Association
