Jeffco voters to decide $133 million school tax measures
Jeffco voters will decide on two property tax measures in November that would raise $133 million for teacher pay, building repairs, and charter school funding.
Jefferson County voters face two tax measures this November that would raise $133 million for Jeffco Public Schools. Ballot Issues 5A and 5B aim to address teacher salaries and building repairs amid recent budget cuts and declining enrollment.
Ballot Issue 5A would raise $73 million to increase teacher salaries and expand career and technical education programs. The measure allocates about $54.5 million for pay increases for teachers, principals, and school support staff. Of that, $15 million would fund already-promised pay increases while $39.5 million could be used for future salary boosts. The measure also sets aside about $10 million for career and technical education classes and about $8.5 million for the district’s charter schools.
Building maintenance and charter school funding
Ballot Issue 5B would raise $60 million for building repairs and maintenance, including $7 million for charter schools. The funds are designated for building maintenance projects including repairing parking lots, replacing leaky roofs, fixing heating and cooling systems, replacing aging technology, and improving school security systems.
Financial impact on homeowners
The combined tax increase would cost homeowners about $273 per year for a $650,000 home. Property taxes would increase by about $42 per year on every $100,000 of a home’s value. If approved, homeowners would pay $3.50 more per month in taxes for every $100,000 of home value.
Opposition concerns and district context
Opponents say Jefferson County taxes are high enough and more money wouldn’t improve students’ academic outcomes. They argue that Jeffco teachers are not poorly paid and that enrollment declines mean Jeffco schools need less money. Opponents suggest fewer students make school closures inevitable regardless of the measures and that the district should cut further due to falling enrollment. Some are skeptical about how Jeffco spent the money from the last tax increase.
This is the first time in eight years that Jeffco Public Schools has asked for a tax increase. Jeffco voters last passed a mill levy override in 2018 for $33 million. The district, Colorado’s second-largest with about 74,000 students, recently cut $45 million from its budget, including 139 jobs. Enrollment is declining, partly due to lower birth rates, and Colorado funds districts per student, so fewer kids means fewer dollars. Jeffco voters have approved fewer mill levy overrides than other area districts.
Jeffco’s average teacher salary was $84,392 last year, ranking it fourth out of Colorado’s five largest districts. Supporters say Jeffco receives about $1,878 less per student on average compared to other metro Denver districts that have passed mill levy overrides more frequently. They argue the measures are needed due to tight state and federal budgets and inadequate K-12 funding in Colorado. The funding will help retain and recruit educators and expand career and technical education for student skill-building.
Warren Tech, the district’s career and technical education center, has a waitlist of nearly 1,500 students. Jeffco had to cancel, delay, or dismiss school early 10 times last year due to issues such as cracked pipes or power outages. Other districts, including Denver Public Schools and Douglas County School District, are also seeking similar tax increases in November. Voters will decide on the measures in November, determining whether the district can proceed with the planned salary increases and building repairs.
