Why you, and everyone you know, should vote Yes on 3B

I am not a proponent of higher taxes—who is?  But 3B is more than a tax increase, it’s a vote of confidence in our future, and knowing we did the right thing for our children. 3B, the Board of Education’s initiative to raise taxes, would increase funding that goes directly to Eagle County Schools. I know times are tough, that the economy is still struggling and that most people’s pay has not increased. I know that first-hand—my husband and I both work at non-profits. We are hardly raking in the dough. However, we budget, plan and put money towards what we feel is important. Education is imperative to us.

Most everyone probably has heard the stats: 9 million dollars have been cut from the school district’s budget over two years and unless the school district receives more revenue, much tougher cuts are coming.

We already have lost teachers and have furlough days this year. It’s hard to be a leader in education when there are mandatory furlough days, isn’t it? The scary thing to me is just what more cuts mean: it’s not ‘specials’ like music and art—never mind that music and art should be an integral part of education. More budget cuts aren’t about cutting sports or field trips. These cuts will impact students, which will affect adults. Skimp now, and we will have to pay later. I have been told assuredly that class sizes will increase. Can you imagine a kindergarten with 29 students? A 4^th grade with more than 30?

If a student starts behind in kindergarten, how will she ever catch up when the teacher is dealing with 30 other kids?

I hear complaints about America falling behind other countries with our education system. It’s time for Americans, Coloradoans and those of us in Eagle County to put our money where our mouths are. Do we want our kids to have the best education? Or do we want them to flounder to save 92 dollars a year (based on an assessed value of a $500,000 home)? That is the price of 20 lattes a year.

I love a grande vanilla non-fat latte as much as anyone else, but I would rather give my money to the schools, education and future successes. I want to set up my girls for success. I want them to love going to school, not to get lost in the shuffle and to have one-on-one time with their teachers.

While I have been researching 3B, I’ve learned that Eagle County Schools is a national leader. I am proud of that. I am proud that we have so many great schools in our district, it’s hard to decide which one to send our kids to. Our school district is one of the first districts in the country to abolish the lock-step salary schedule and successfully implement a pay-for-performance system nearly a decade before it became fashionable. ECS has also:

•   Established a record of high student achievement (with data to support this claim).

•   Made significant and measurable progress in closing the achievement gap that exists between minority students and non-minority students.

•   Emerged as a national leader in instructional development and teacher practices.

•   The proposed $6 million mill levy override will address impacts at two major levels, offering support for extra-curricular activities, arts and athletics, replace buses and computers that have exceeded their useful lifespan, maintain buildings and grounds and mitigate state budget cuts. At the class level it would prevent further cuts to core programs, restoring some of our most critical classroom positions, retaining quality classroom teachers and reinstating teacher/student classroom days. 

(the above is from yeson3b.com)

I agree with accountability, belt tightening and an end to frivolous spending. I think Eagle County Schools have already done all of that. Now it’s time for all of us to come together to keep Eagle County a leader in education. Vote yes on 3B.

Heather Hower, The Youth Foundation's Volunteer Coordinator