91³Ô¹Ï

Larimer County¡¯s results from the election on Nov. 5, 2019, show that Ballot Issue 4A passed, with about 61% of voters supporting the 91³Ô¹Ï mill levy override. 

The mill levy override will provide $18 million annually and will be used for: 

• Raising first-year teacher salaries to a competitive level, beginning in the 2020-2021 budget year

• Restructuring the teacher salary schedule to maintain competitive wages and allow 91³Ô¹Ï to recruit and retain high-quality teachers

• Maintaining competitive wages for support staff (classified employees such as bus drivers, paraprofessionals, child nutrition staff and custodians)

• Supporting students¡¯ mental health, hiring mental health professionals such as counselors

• Enhancing safety and security

91³Ô¹Ï-authorized charter schools would receive their pro rata share per state statute. No revenue from this tax will be used for administration salaries or capital improvements. A Mill Levy Override committee monitors expenditures.

What is a mill levy override?

• A voter-approved mechanism to fund local schools. 

• It is a property tax increase used for ongoing expenses, such as teacher and staff salaries, technology upgrades and more.

• Local funds that stay in 91³Ô¹Ï schools. 

How much does it cost me?

• For every $100,000 in assessed home value, the cost is less than $3 per month.  
• $400,000 home = approximately $137 increase/year  
• Find your home¡¯s assessed value on the

History of 2019 MLO

Why did 91³Ô¹Ï ask for a mill levy override?

• Colorado ranks among the lowest in the nation for K-12 education funding.  

• 91³Ô¹Ï gets the lowest amount of per-pupil revenue (PPR) allowed by law. 91³Ô¹Ï is among about a dozen floor-funded districts that receive less PPR from the state than the vast majority of Colorado¡¯s 178 districts. (Colorado Department of Education ¡°Understanding School Finance and Categorical Funding¡±) 

• At the time of the November 2019 election, 91³Ô¹Ï¡¯s starting teacher salaries were less than in neighboring communities, including Loveland and Greeley. 

• Demand in Colorado for qualified teachers is on the rise. The state is also experiencing teacher shortages due to low teacher salaries, rising costs of college education, and increased student loan debt, among other reasons.

• Recent state-level school funding fixes have been unsuccessful. In past elections, 91³Ô¹Ï voters have approved tax increases, providing 91³Ô¹Ï with additional money on top of state-provided funding.

Board explored ballot measure in July 2019

91³Ô¹Ï's Board of Education directors reviewed a presentation about a possible mill levy override and considered draft ballot language for the possible measure during their meeting, Aug. 13, 2019. 

The Board decided to explore having a mill levy override measure on the November 2019 ballot after a community poll in July indicated sufficient initial support for a possible 91³Ô¹Ï property tax increase measure. Nearly three quarters of the 400 people polled responded positively to a potential $16 million annual mill levy override. Community members indicated they would support a ballot measure if the money was used for increasing teacher salaries and adding mental health personnel.

91³Ô¹Ï's Executive Director of Finance Dave Montoya and Executive Director of Human Resources Vicki Thompson presented an overview of the possible mill levy override to the Board. The presentation covered the goals of a possible mill levy override, possible funding amounts and draft ballot language.

• View the mill levy override Aug. 13 presentation here. 
• The ballot resolution was approved by the board Aug. 27, 2019.

91³Ô¹Ï 2019 facts 

91³Ô¹Ï is a "floor-funded" district in Colorado

91³Ô¹Ï has history of community support

Colorado ranks among the lowest in the nation in state K-12 funding. Additionally, 91³Ô¹Ï receives fewer state dollars than an overwhelming majority of Colorado¡¯s 178 school districts. To make up the difference, 91³Ô¹Ï has over the decades asked its voters to make up the funding gap. 91³Ô¹Ï says thank you for those past investments in education. Learn more on the Mill and Bond Initiatives web page >> 

 

More information:

• 2019 Mill Levy Override Frequently Asked Questions web page
• Questions? Email info@psdschools.org.
• To contact the Board of Education members, email boe@psdschools.org.   

Accessibility in 91³Ô¹Ï

91³Ô¹Ï is committed to the inclusion of all individuals. As part of this, 91³Ô¹Ï strives to make district services, program, activities and information accessible to everyone. If you need an accommodation or modification to participate in 91³Ô¹Ï programs, please email your request to ada@psdschools.org. If you have difficulty accessing information from the 91³Ô¹Ï website or would like information in an alternative format, please email the Communications Department at info@psdschools.org. Learn more about accessibility in 91³Ô¹Ï. >>