SOUTHERN COLORADO — The District 49 Board of Education voted 3-2 during a special board meeting Wednesday night to pass a ballot measure to voters to decide whether they want to increase property taxes to fund teacher salary increases.
D49 said the ballot measure would increase the pay for teachers by 7% over the next seven years through a Mill Levy Override (MLO).
The proposed 7 mill increase would translate to a $9.9 million increase in property taxes. It would be an increase of $4 for every $100,000 in property value. That means $20 more a month in property taxes for a $500,000 home. A District 49 spokesperson said the average home value in the district is around $485,000.
The increase would be in addition to what property owners are currently paying in property taxes, which is about $1,500 a year or $130 a month for a home valued at $500,000.
During the special board meeting, some board members expressed concerns about raising property taxes while many assessment values are at a record high.
“We have seniors on fixed income who cannot afford to pay more taxes. We need to think about these things," said Board Member Ivy Liu.
“I don’t think this is the right time. Hopefully, we can pursue this again at the next election cycle when our economy is better," said Board Member Jamilynn D'Avola.
However, a majority of the board members agreed to pass the decision on to voters. Board President John Graham said the district needs to work to retain more teachers and that voters should have the final say.
"I believe it's up to the people to decide. If they want a better, higher-class education for their kids they'll vote accordingly. If they can't afford it they'll vote accordingly," said Graham.
The starting pay for teachers in D49 is just over $47,000, which is one of the lowest compared to other school districts in the area. If the ballot question is approved, starting pay would increase to over $50,000 and become one of the most competitive school districts in terms of starting teacher pay.
A spokesperson for D49 said in the bidding war for teacher talent, they are outmatched and outspent because neighboring districts have higher property values.
Academy School District 20 also wants voters to approve a mill levy increase that would raise about $35 million for a number of different improvements. D20 said they would use the money to increase pay for teachers and support staff, hire armed security for all elementary schools, and fund the upkeep of buildings and facilities. The measure would raise property taxes by an average of $11 each month for property owners in the district.
The D49 Mill Levy Override ballot question will be on November's general election ballot. The D49 Board of Education approved the following ballot question language:
SHALL EL PASO COUNTY COLORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT 49 TAXES BE INCREASED BY $9.9 MILLION BEGINNING IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2024, AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS AS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE IMPOSITION OF AN ADDITIONAL MILL LEVY OF NOT TO EXCEED 7.0 MILLS WITH THE REVENUE GENERATED BY SUCH ADDITIONAL MILL LEVY TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND AND USED FOR PROVIDING EACH CLASSROOM TEACHER A GUARANTEED INCREASE IN SALARY OF AT LEAST 7% ANNUALLY FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS (TO COMPETE WITH ADJACENT DISTRICTS THAT GENERATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IN LOCAL REVENUE), PROVIDED THAT:AND SHALL SUCH TAX INCREASE BE AN ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE LEVY AUTHORIZED FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND, PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 22-54-108, C.R.S.,
- THE FUNDS COLLECTED WILL BE USED SOLELY TO FUND SALARY RAISES FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS; AND
- NO PROCEEDS FROM SUCH TAX INCREASE WILL BE SPENT ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION; AND
- SUCH TAX INCREASE WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2030, UNLESS PRIOR TO SUCH DATE THE DISTRICT IMPROVES ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE 40% AS MEASURED AND REPORTED PUBLICLY BY THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK AS CERTIFIED IN A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2030, AT WHICH POINT SUCH TAX INCREASE SHALL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLASSROOM TEACHER SALARIES;
AND SHALL THE GUARANTEED INCREASE IN SALARY OF AT LEAST 7% ANNUALLY FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS BE A BINDING COMMITMENT AND A MULTIPLE-FISCAL YEAR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF THE DISTRICT PAYABLE FROM SUCH TAX INCREASE AND OTHER AVAILABLE REVENUES OF THE DISTRICT,
AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S EXPENDITURES BE SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY A CITIZENS’ OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT ACCOUNTABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE?
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