The Weld County School District Re-3J Board of Education has approved a proposal to place a $2.8 million Mill Levy Override on the November 5, 2024 ballot. The proposed Mill Levy Override aims to provide additional funding for staff recruitment and retention, increase safety, security, and mental health options for students, create advanced career pathways and enrichments for students, and enhance transportation support around the district. The District has prepared a Factual Summary regarding Ballot Issue 5F.
The Weld Re-3J Board of Education voted unanimously on August 29 to place a Mill Levy Override (MLO) question on the 2024 ballot. The Mill Levy will provide additional sustainable funding each year, approximately $2.8 million in 2025, for educational needs. The MLO will target strategic priorities designed to improve outcomes for students.
This table includes annual estimates for example subdivisions within the district if the proposed MLO is approved by voters. The annual amounts are based on an average home value and would be for a 1.283 mill increase using the district’s current assessment.
The override would affect the entire district tax base including oil/gas, commercial, residential, etc.
Having well-trained teachers and staff in our schools is one of the best indicators of ensuring student success. Salary and benefits are a critical factor in recruitment and retention. Several of the state’s highest paying districts are close to our community, so the district must continue to review its teacher and staff compensation structures
Quality student programs are a fundamental priority. MLO funds would be devoted to elevating the district’s Career & Technical Education Pathways as well as providing enrichment and extension activities. Hands-on learning and experimental activities would be one of the primary focuses to enhance educational programs in all K-12 schools.
Safety, Security & Mental Health
Safe and secure schools are a priority, and students and staff alike report feeling safe in Re-3J schools. MLO funds will be utilized to maintain and upgrade expensive technologies, such as a technologies, such as a camera systems. Mental health resources and support will continue to be available to all students if funded through the MLO.
Enhanced Transportation Services
Student attendance is essential to achievement, and reliable transportation services ensure daily attendance. The district receives requests for over 1000 daily bus riders, and waitlists negatively impact many. A portion of the MLO will be devoted to hiring bus drivers and increasing bus routes.
Arguments For the Mill Levy Override
Arguments Against the Mill Levy Override
The actual content of the 5F ballot question is below:
SHALL WELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. RE-3J TAXES BE INCREASED $2.8 MILLION IN 2024 FOR COLLECTION IN 2025 AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY AN AMOUNT THAT, WHEN COMBINED WITH TAXES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY DISTRICT VOTERS FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND, EQUALS TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE DISTRICT’S TOTAL PROGRAM AS PERMITTED BY STATE LAW FOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL REVENUES, TO FUND DISTRICT OPERATIONAL NEEDS TO:
- ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND STAFF TO REDUCE TURNOVER;
- ENHANCE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS TO MAINTAIN SAFER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS;
- EXPAND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT ELECTIVES, ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, CLUBS, AND ACTIVITIES AT ALL DISTRICT SCHOOLS; AND
- IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BY ADDING BUS DRIVERS AND BUS ROUTES TO HELP MORE STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL,
THROUGH THE LEVY OF PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND AT A RATE THAT WILL PRODUCE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE DISTRICT’S TOTAL PROGRAM (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN STATE LAW OR ANY SIMILAR TERM IN A SUCCESSOR PROVISION)?
_____ YES/FOR _____ NO/AGAINST