A. The state of Colorado’s School Finance Act (SFA) sets the annual funding amount for each of the 178 school districts in Colorado.  Because of state budget constraints, the Colorado General Assembly has been shifting funding for Aspen Schools to local taxpayers. Over the last 15 years, changes to the SFA have reduced ASD’s state funding by $23.8 million. To make matters worse, new legislation (HB1448) passed last year by the Colorado General Assembly amended the SFA in a way that is even more detrimental to ASD. A change in the per-pupil funding formula that limited the cost-of-living factor essentially means that ASD – along with five other school districts in the state with high property valuations – will receive no more general education funding from the State of Colorado. The net effect of these two changes is that ASD will become almost completely reliant on local funding measures (bonds, mill levy overrides and local taxes) for revenue in the years ahead.

A. Besides the decrease in state funding over the years, the District has also seen a 25% increase in health insurance costs since 2023.  Federal funding has also dropped off with some federal grants expected to go away entirely. To provide teachers with a 3.5% to 5% raise and fund health care costs, the District has imposed cost-cutting measures and eliminated seven educator positions through attrition. Over time, fewer teachers mean increased class sizes. At 7.4%, the District’s fund balance is one-third the minimum size recommended by the Colorado Department of Education.

A. With state and federal funding sources declining and operating costs rising, new local revenue is needed to overcome ASD’s unique financial challenges and continue providing the world-class education our community has  come to expect. That’s why the ASD Board of Education will consider two ballot questions – a bond and mill levy override – for voters to decide this fall. 

• A mill levy override (MLO) – if approved by the voters – will address a revenue shortfall created by a change in the School Finance Act that will be phased in over the next five years. Unique programming such as our International Baccalaureate program, outdoor education program and teacher salaries will be supported from mill levy override proceeds.
• A bond will be primarily focused on teacher and staff housing to help recruit and retain world-class teachers and other professionals to live and work in the district and become a part of our community. The district is considering constructing or obtaining up to 55 additional units, which will satisfy the district’s housing needs for the foreseeable future. Bond revenue will also allow the district to build additional classrooms for its career-focused innovation curriculum and address ongoing maintenance to help provide safe learning environments and maintain the district’s buildings and facilities.

A. Later this summer both the City of Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village will consider the renewal of local tax measures that support ASD. In Aspen the tax is a .3% sales tax (30 cents on a $100 purchase) and in the Town of Snowmass Village, it is a property tax that generates about $500,000 each year. The decision to place these local tax measures before the voters rests solely with the Aspen City Council and the Snowmass Village Town Council. If these local councils agree to place the tax renewals on the fall ballot, only voters within Aspen and Snowmass Village city/town limits will be eligible to vote on them. Voters in the unincorporated portions of Pitkin County would only see the bond and mill levy override (MLO) on their ballots.

A. Yes. If the bond and MLO pass this November, the district will coordinate with the Aspen Community School on how proceeds will be distributed.

A. The Board of Education will make a final decision on the evening of August 20th about going to the voters with a potential mill levy override and bond question. Earlier this spring, the District began a community outreach and research process to determine the feasibility of the ballot questions under consideration. When the community engagement process concludes in August, the information gathered will help the Board of Education determine the content and timing of a bond and MLO.  

A. Yes. The vast majority of the District’s budget goes to instruction, support services and other expenditures that directly benefit students and classrooms. 68.4% of the District’s budget goes to instruction, transportation and food service; 20.7% goes to custodial, maintenance and support services; 10.2% goes to general administration. The funds from these ballot questions would support these priorities within the district.

A. At their next meeting at 4pm on August 20th, the ASD Board of Education will decide the total amounts for both the bond and the mill levy and vote to refer both questions to the November ballot. Later that week the District will determine the cost to District homeowners should either or both ballot questions be approved by the voters this fall. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and participate during the public comment period. Meetings are held in the Board of Education Room at 0235 High School Road. 

A. In 2020, Aspen School District voters approved a $94.3 million bond for 60 staff housing units,  infrastructure repairs, energy efficiency measures,  technology upgrades, safety and security improvements, and site improvements. The balance was used for improvements to student drop-off areas, and curriculum and technology upgrades, and other capital improvements such as new plumbing, roofing and HVAC units.

A.  Yes. Each of the 60 apartment units the District acquired with the previous bond are occupied. Should the next bond go to the voters and pass, the District will work to obtain another 55 housing units, which the District anticipates will address its housing needs for the foreseeable future. Because housing costs in Pitkin County are so far out of reach for those living on a District salary, these housing units help the District attract and retain world-class staff.

A.  If this latest bond is approved, the District believes it will have the necessary funds to acquire all of the housing stock it needs to attract and retain world-class educators and staff to continue providing individualized learning experiences.

A.  The recent trend of declining enrollment does not impact the need for staff housing. If approved by the voters, a bond will allow the District to acquire 55 housing units. By providing housing as well as a livable wage to our valued employees, the District can continue recruiting and retaining world-class staff.

A. While the vast majority of bond proceeds will be used to acquire an additional 55 housing units, make facility improvements, and expand our career and technology curriculum, renovations to the theatre are among several other capital projects under consideration by the Board of Education.

A. To collect feedback on the feasibility of a mill levy override, bond and local ballot questions this fall, ASD conducted a poll of 253 likely ASD voters earlier this summer. The results reveal three big-picture takeaways; 1) Voters value fairness to teachers (via salaries and housing) and the importance of including them as part of the wider community. Nearly 86% of respondents strongly or somewhat agree that housing is an important component of recruiting and retaining world class staff 2) The ASD brand is strong with over 67% of voters giving the District’s performance a high rating and over 65% agreeing the District handles taxpayer money wisely; 3) To varying degrees, voters approve of all four potential ballot questions – the bond, MLO, Aspen sales tax renewal and the Snowmass Village property tax. To view full survey results, see here.

Board of Education members want community input on these matters before committing to a decision. Let us hear from you! Please make your opinion known about the challenges the District is facing and the potential solutions to address them at finance@aspenk12.net.