If Amendment 39 passes, Denver Public Schools administrators say they would probably have to turn down federal grants that fund instructional support for disabled students and student work-study programs.
Should the measure pass, the district’s spending would violate the state constitution.
The district has 54 percent of its operating dollars going toward what proponents of the measure call “classroom instruction” costs. The measure does not consider such federal grants part of classroom costs, and accepting them would reduce the budget percentage.
Called by proponents “the 65 percent solution,” Amendment 39 would require the state’s 178 school districts to devote 65 percent of operating costs to classroom instruction.
This includes teachers, classroom aides, tutors, librarians, books and classroom computers. But it excludes nurses, guidance counselors, bus drivers, teacher training and building construction.
School administrators across the state overwhelmingly oppose the measure, saying it circumvents local control and forces all districts to take a one-size-fits-all approach.
“We may want to spend 70 percent one year and 61 percent the next,” said Gary Pack, superintendent of the Garfield School District.
Colorado Association of School Executives policy director Bruce Caughey said he has never seen such galvanization among his members in opposition to a measure.
“It’s restrictive in ways that’s going to be harmful for classrooms and the kids,” he said.
State Rep. Joe Stengel, who headed the effort to get Amendment 39 on the ballot, said classroom spending would go up if voters approve it.
Districts can still spend money on services, but they may have to cut down on administration, he said. Districts can ask for a waiver for a year.
Stengel points to Douglas County schools, where taxpayer dollars are spent on memberships to professional organizations. “Is that a core function of education?” Stengel asked.
District spokeswoman Whei Wong said the district spent $133,000 for an annual membership to the Colorado Association of School Executives because it provides professional development opportunities to principals and other administrators.
The measure was placed on the ballot by First Class Education Colorado, a branch of the national First Class Education, which is pushing similar measures in other states.
This group disputes a Standard & Poor’s study that stated little evidence exists that more money in classrooms actually boosts student achievement.
“If you spend money on your core mission, you’re obviously going to have results,” said Michele Austin, a Colorado representative of the group.
There are Colorado districts, however, such as the Cherry Creek Schools, that perform well despite spending less than the 65 percent.
Even districts already adhering to the 65 percent requirement are no fans of the measure.
In Pitkin County, 72 percent of the school district’s $17.5 million budget is dedicated to classroom instruction. Superintendent Diana Sirko said the law would take away flexibility.
“Let’s say we needed to add a couple new counseling positions,” she said. “Our hands would be tied.”
Voters will also be asked about Referendum J, which would require 65 percent of operating dollars to be spent on “services that directly affect student achievement.” Currently just three districts in the state do not meet that standard, according to a study by the Center for Education Policy Analysis in Denver.
Any conflicting provisions of Referendum J will not be enforced if both proposals pass, a state analysis says.
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-954-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
