It's Nasty Out There

I guess Hickenlooper really meant it when I asked him in October how we will handle the budget issues for education. He said, "We'll have to figure out how to do more with less." I am shocked at how deep his cuts to education were in the proposed budget. Unfortunately, many of us are at the point where, as teachers, we (who are in front of children most of the day) are doing as much as we can physically take on. Doing more? How could we do more? When? I think it is more logical to think it will be more like we will have to"do less" for our kids when the classroom teachers are maxed out.

Education not feeling the love from our state this Valentine's Day

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The Colorado State Budget for 2011- 12,
Be Ready:
As you have heard Gov Hickenlopper will roll out his proposed 2011 – 12 budget tomorrow, Tuesday, February 15. We know the CO State budget is $1B short. Yes, that is One Billion! This year the K – 12 cut could be $300 - $400 million. Last year was terrible. This year is worse.

Why?
-We are a part of the worst recession in 60 years.
-The state of CO is still losing tax revenue.
-Income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes are all down.
-Tax collections lag a year behind.
-The state does not have enough money to fund current programs.
-A state wide tax increase to raise state revenue must be approved by a state wide vote of the people.
-There are no Federal Stimulus dollars coming to CO from Washington, DC.

As the Legislature moves into discussions on the 2011- 12 budget and the $1B shortfall, lawmakers will be discussing cuts to K -12, higher education, and other state funded programs. The state budget could reflect a cut in K – 12 state spending of 10 -14%.

How do we get out of this state financial problem?
We can wait until the economy improves, which may be a very long term solution. We can push to raise local revenue by conducting local mill elections. This requires the voters in your district to approve a mill that raises local property taxes. We can work to develop a wide coalition and put a tax increase on the CO ballot state wide. This would be Referendum C style coalition.

Polling shows us that voters are just now beginning to understand the state of CO cannot simply cut their way out of this economic crisis. Voters in recent polls have asked for a balanced approach—cut state and local programs and figure out a way to raise revenue.

Stay tuned. Help us teach voters how drastically cutting K – 12 funding is not the best solution for Colorado.

Your help will be needed to bring this funding dilemma to your community.

Awesome member!

See how one of ECEA members and his wife make an exceptional difference in the lives of children.

Avon Elementary teachers give back | VailDaily.com

When will they learn?

ECS learned a few years ago that this does not make sense and we changed they way we formulate our bonuses. I like the last part of the article that explains a bit more about why that information is unreliable.

New York Judge Says “Value-Added” Scores Can Be Released

Some more news about Jason's appointment in Iowa

I'm quoted in this article!

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/12/29/jason-glass-is-choice-for-education-chief/

Congratulations, Jason Glass!

Iowa is very lucky to have Jason!

http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/12/29/branstad-announces-his-choice-for-education-chief/

New State Rep for HD56

I am very excited to see an Educator named as our new State Representative. She was a professor for one of my classes in grad school. Great person, and I look forward to working with her in the Spring as her legislative liaison.

Hamner named Eagle County's state rep | VailDaily.com