Face The State Staff Report
Jeffco Superintendent Cindy Stevenson has responded to criticism that she broke a 2004 pledge to voters to not seek a tax increase this year after she successfully lobbied to bring a mill levy and bond question, 3A and 3B, to this November's ballot.
Through an open records request, two Jefferson County homeowners, Jeff Sacco and Linda Sasenick, discovered a 2004 pledge by Stevenson saying that the district would wait five years before asking for more money from voters (PDF). The promise came as voters were being asked to support a bond and mill levy increase that year.
"I find it interesting that they pull this one set of [meeting] minutes and say I'm lying to voters," said Stevenson. "I don't do this lightly. I don't do it with lack of integrity. I do it because I'm passionate about public education and kids."
Jeffco still has $117 million in the capitol budget slated to last through 2010. The 2004 revenue increases supported by voters will expire that year. In the meantime, the district is asking taxpayers to support an overlapping bond increase for projects covering 2009-2014. "My concern is about the legitimacy of 3A and 3B," said Sacco. "I'm not convinced of the need for it. Everything we see in the financials tells us we have plenty of money."
While Stevenson concedes that district student enrollment declined between 1999 and 2006, she says student enrollment increased slightly last year by about 70 students.
Stevenson said she hosted community meetings last year during which parents and community members encouraged her to bring a mill levy and bond question forward in 2008. Turn out is better during a president election and according to Stevenson, the district is facing budget cuts for 2009.
"Technically, could we get through next year? Yeah, but it wouldn't be pleasant," Stevenson said.
Earlier this month, the district was caught teetering on the edge of violating Colorado's Fair Campaign Practices Act by using taxpayer money to print a letter warning parents of $35 million in budget reductions over the next three years. Sasenick points out there is no organized opposition against 3A and 3B, which she says is what actually bothers her most. "If people don't have the other side of the issue how can they make an informed decision?" she said.
"I know Cindy is a wonderful hard worker," Sacco said. "I don't question her intentions, but I question the results."