Four Colorado Springs-area school districts are asking voters for tax increases to cover a variety of needs, such as teacher salary increases, computer equipment updating, increased support for arts and athletics, and foreign language education. A fifth district is asking for a transfer of bond money.

The districts' officials say they're worried that economic concerns will dampen voter enthusiasm for the property tax increases, but insist the measures are needed to preserve services and keep kids and their schools competitive.

"It comes at a bad time," Harrison School District 2 Superintendent Mike Miles acknowledges.

There is no formal opposition to any of the measures, and the campaigns have been mostly low-cost and low-key. For example, proponents in Colorado Springs School District 11 are doing one mailing, but didn't spend money on yard signs, said Mary Ellen McNally, chairwoman of Friends of District 11.

The El Paso County election pamphlet mailed to voters, however, uses the same opposition message for most of the districts. Anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce, author of the state's Taxpayer Bill of Rights amendment (TABOR), wrote the opposing argument for the D-11 issue, and shared the information with tax opponents in other districts, who submitted them to be part of the election pamphlet.

Here are the districts and their issues:

ACADEMY SCHOOL DISTRICT 20

THE ISSUE

Question 3A asks voters to allow the district to increase the operating budget by up to $14.5 million a year without increasing the mill levy cap. Instead, the money would be moved from the bond fund.

THE FINANCIALS

The question does not involve a tax rate increase. A vote is required because the money was approved by voters in 2001 for capital expenditures. The district has a mill levy cap of 60.216, and about 23 mills goes toward repaying the bonds, said Wil Hatcher, district financial officer. If voters approve the move, about 2.5 mills would be switched to the general fund. The bonds would be paid off in December 2027 as scheduled; if voters do not move the funds, the bonds would likely be paid off four or five years earlier.

Based on growth and assessment estimates, the move would add $3 million to the general fund the first year, $8 million the second year, $13 million the third year and up to $14 million a year thereafter.

TO BE USED FOR

Eighty percent of the money would be used to increase teacher salaries and add teachers to reduce class sizes, said Superintendent Mark Hatchell. The remainder would go toward curriculum and technology upgrades, security, maintenance and upgrades to support increased enrollment and to restore a reserve fund to a 4 percent level.

ARGUMENTS FOR

Hatchell said the district is paying off bonds faster than anticipated because of growth in the district and is asking voters to move some of the surplus to the general fund.

Salaries for entry-level teachers, about 3 percent of the district's work force, are lower than six nearby districts, he said. He also noted that south Denver districts pay as much as $8,000 more per year and can attract teachers from D-20.

The district also wants to add about 65 teachers to reduce class size.

A campaign committee, Yes on D-20 Schools, was formed to back the issue. Its Web site is www.YesforD20Schools.org.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

There is no formal opposition, but an opposing argument nearly identical to one written by Douglas Bruce against a mill levy override question in District 11 is included in a notice of election sent to voters last week.

Bruce said the excess money should be refunded to taxpayers by lowering the mill levy now, or paying the bonds off earlier than planned and lowering taxes then.

COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 11

THE ISSUE

Question 3E asks voters in the district for a mill-levy override, which would increase taxes by $21.5 million annually for operating expenses.

THE FINANCIALS

If the issue is approved, the cost to homeowners would be $11.50 per month - $138 on the annual property tax bill - on a $200,000 home.

TO BE USED FOR

Expansion of career and technical education pathways programs; teacher salary increases; tutoring and intervention programs; replacing textbooks; developing online curriculum; additional support for special education, gifted and talented and English language learners; adding high school teachers to meet increased graduation requirements; increased support for arts and athletics programs; and providing elementary foreign language instruction.

ARGUMENTS FOR

District officials said the new and expanded programs will help the district continue to improve test scores in accordance with federal requirements.

"This is all premised on the fact that by 2013-2014, 100 percent of our students have to be proficient or advanced (on state tests)," said Glenn Gustafson, chief financial officer.

Proponents say D-11 has shown the greatest increase in scores on the Colorado Student Assessment Program test of any large district in the state for several years, and needs more money to continue programs that have helped it achieve that success.

The issue is backed by Friends of District 11, which is financing a mailing that soon will reach voters, said committee chairwoman McNally.

The district struggles to keep good teachers and principals, who can make more money at surrounding districts, she said.

It also is imperative for the district to develop innovative programs that will prepare students for jobs and education in the 21st century.

She said the district is making strides to improve efficiency, such as hiring a consultant to look at school boundaries and how the district is using facilities.

"We do need to close schools, and I'll be following that very closely," she said.
Friends of D-11 can be contacted at memcnal@earthlink.net

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

There is no organized opposition to the ballot measure, but an opposing argument was written by TABOR author Douglas Bruce.

Bruce, a resident of the district, said the district is not efficiently run and spends money on the wrong things, such as mailers about the tax question and a lawsuit against the state over a charter school.

He criticized the district for paying for principals for "half-empty schools" because they don't have the courage to close buildings the district no longer needs.

"It is difficult when you have demographic changes, but they are too gutless to be efficient and close schools," Bruce said. "They aren't doing much right in my view."
Bruce can be reached at 550-0010 or taxcutter@msn.com

HARRISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2

THE ISSUE

Question 3B asks taxpayers for$6 millionthrough a mill levy override not to exceed 10.5 mills.

THE FINANCIALS

If the issue passes, the cost would be $10.50a month for a homeowner with a house valued at $150,000.

TO BE USED FOR

Upgrading aging computers, computer labs and software; creating a system so parents can go online to keep current on their child's academic progress, attendance, homework and discipline record; keeping salaries of teachers and staff competitive,, especially in high school science and math and special needs.

ARGUMENTS FOR

Donna Garcia of Kids First Committee, a group of parents rallying for the issue, said D-2 students need improved technology to learn in a faced-paced digital world and eventually compete in the business world.

Other arguments note that the district is a state leader in working to address the minority achievement gap, and students are making more than a year's growth each year. Passing the measure will help them make additional strides.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

No formal opposition; Bruce's argument against the D-11 issue is the only opposing view in the official election literature.

FOUNTAIN-FORT CARSON SCHOOL DISTRICT 8

THE ISSUE

Question 3D is for a mill levy increase of 5 mills, for a total of 24.715 mills.

THE FINANCIALS

The cost would be about $58 dollars a year for a home worth $175,000, and would bring in $700,000 to the district.

TO BE USED FOR

Bringing in 10 times that amount in federal money. The combined funds would be used for $80 million in construction costs associated with the huge influx of soldiers and their families into the district in the next several years.

The money also will be used for increasing teacher salaries, expanding school curriculum and math programs.

ARGUMENTS FOR

For every dollar collected from taxpayers as a result of the increase, the federal government will contribute seven to 10 times that amount annually. The $5 million to $7 million infusion would come from the Impact Aid program, which assists districts whose boundaries include government-owned, nontaxable land. About 30 percent of the land within D-8 is federally owned or nontaxable, including a large state park.

The district, which has 6,500 students, is expected to get another 3,000 students in the next five years.

"It's the first time in 30 years that we have asked district voters for money," said Superintendent Cheryl Walker.. "We asked for as little as we could to qualify for the federal money."

A group supporting the measure, The District 8 Citizens for Responsible Planning for Student Growth; 382-3758,

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

There is no formal opposition; Bruce's argument used in other districts does not show up on this issue.

LEWIS PALMER SCHOOL DISTRICT 38

THE ISSUE

Ballot Question 3C asks for up to $2.7 million with a mill levy override not to exceed 6.263 mills.

THE FINANCIALS

For an average homeowner in D-38, the increase will be no larger than $14.52 per month, based on average home value of $350,000.

TO BE USED FOR

Maintaining class sizes, preserving elementary reading teachers and student support services, and increasing teacher compensation to more competitive levels. The measure would not restore previous budget reductions and wouldn't reduce student fees implemented this year. It would also help keep future class sizes at current levels.

ARGUMENTS FOR

If the mill levy fails, more teaching positions will be cut and classroom sizes will grow. One group, Citizens for a Better Community, has formed to support the measure. The Web site is http://yes4lp.com.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

No formal opposition; just Bruce's argument against.