Jeffco Schools Need More of Your Money
Education Policy Center Director Pam Benigno was interviewed on KUSA, Channel 9 yesterday about a proposal Jeffco Public Schools is considering that would ask voters for more money in two separate ballot issues.
From 9News, “One is a bond between $323 million and $350 million to rebuild and repair eight high schools, four middle schools, and 70 elementary schools…. The other ballot issue will affect taxes. [Superintendent Cindy] Stevenson says JeffCo also needs a mill levy override of between $32 million and $36 million.”
Here is the channel 9 coverage featuring Pam:
Pam was dead on when she said, “I think that this is, this is too much…. However, the system is the problem. They will always need more money.” Exactly. When an organization, like the school system, faces little competition and efficiency pressures, the end result is an everlasting need for more cash. As Pam points out, a couple of solutions that need to be considered include the school district focusing on a more effective way to pay teachers, financial transparency, and more support for charter schools.
Our little friend Eddie at Ed is Watching had this to say about the matter, “I know you often hear some people say that they want to do things “for the children,” but in this case it’s not clear actually how much this money will help the children. We’ve seen there is no connection between spending increases and improving student outcomes. Pam is right: Jeffco needs to start responding better to parents’ demands for different kinds of school choices for their kids first.”
