In 2004, the Jefferson County school district posed ballot questions 3A and 3B. The measures, which were approved by voters, authorized $38.5 million in mill levy revenues to be earmarked for operational expense and a $324 million bond issue, which paid for renovations and the construction of new schools.
StevensonJeffco Schools
Experiencing a little deja vu? So are we.
That’s because nearly identical questions are appearing on this November's Jeffco ballot. This is the third time since 1999 that district officials have asked for voter approval on a mill levy tax increase and bond measure.
The move has Jeffco homeowners Jeff Sacco and Linda Sasenick calling foul. After a Colorado Open Records request, Saco and Sasenick were outraged to discover a 2004 promise from Superintendent Cindy Stevenson that the district would wait five years before asking for more money (PDF). And according to a recent report in the Denver Post, Jeffco has sought about $940 million in bonds for capital construction in recent years.
But Sacco and Sasenick are left questioning the need for new schools considering enrollment has fallen by 2 percent since 1999. “What possible needs do they have that are so critical?” Sacco asked.
Additionally, the district still has $157 million in the general fund to get it through this year, and $117 million in the capitol budget that is slated to last until 2010.
Maybe Stevenson missed the last budget meeting, but we doubt it.