Woodland Park concerned parents, local business leaders and community members have joined together to form a coalition to support and secure crucial funding for Woodland Park’s children and schools.
The group, called the Woodland Park School Community Coalition supports a ‘No’ vote on ballot Issue 2A, according to Michael Perini, the registered agent for the organization. If passed, 2A would eliminate a sales tax hike previously approved by the voters of Woodland Park, aimed at helping the Woodland Park RE-2 School District with a variety of needed improvements and enhancements.
Perini cited public education as one of the group’s main goals.
“We want to educate and inform Woodland Park resident voters about this necessary school funding. A “No” vote on 2A supports local students, staff and the community by continuing the city sales tax as-is, which Woodland Park voted for in 2016,” Perini said. “A ‘No’ vote on 2A is a vote to not strip current critical funds from the district.”
Statistics Support the Group’s Claims.
Through a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication by staff and students, the Woodland Park school district is currently ranked 18/184 districts, in the top 10 percent in the state. This is one of the highest rankings the district has ever earned.
Perini said the educational funding is critical for the success of our students, schools and community.
“Yes! While the Woodland Park school district is on the tail end of the declining enrollment bubble, it takes several years to stabilize that loss of student funding,” he said. “Additionally, when inflation is considered, Colorado is funding students at 1989 rates. Furthermore, our school facilities continue to need improvements and maintenance.”
According to group leaders, the Woodland Park School district has made significant improvements in the last few years, including:
• raising staff salaries
• securing full-time, qualified security guards within the schools
• promoting open enrollment and school choice for all families
• further strengthening the quality of education for our children
• addressing several pressing and needed facility improvements; and
• keeping school-related activity and athletic fees to a minimum
Perini notes that WPSD needs this funding to maintain its top 10 percent spot in Colorado and continue to offer the high-quality education our kids deserve. The facility budget needs alone exceed s$30 million.
“Teachers deserve secure jobs and competitive salaries. Students deserve a quality education in Woodland Park, said the group’s registered agent.
Group leaders have stressed that strong schools attract new residents. Strong schools support local business and improve the economy. Strong schools mean a healthy, thriving community.”
“Current residents win, as property values also trend alongside the academic achievements and growth of their local schools,” Perini said.
For more information about this group and to learn about future public meetings they may hold, go to www.no2aforkids.com.
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Also, you can call (719) 822-4233.
Background of 2A
The 2A ballot issue was approved by the Woodland Park City Council in a 4-3 vote in a controversial meeting last month that attracted many speakers and sparked considerable tension. Critics of the council decision say this amounted to a political move by some WP elected leaders who sought to override the original intention of the voters due to their dislike of the current school board and RE-2 administration. Proponents of the ballot effort, though, contend that the current school administration needs to be held more accountable for their actions, and have questioned the use of the tax money.
The original 1.09 percent sales tax hike was approved by a fairly decisive vote in 2016. The money was earmarked for a variety of purposes, including infrastructure improvements and teacher salary increases. At the time, campaign organizers wanted to pursue a city sales tax increase, instead of a property mill levy hike. This is a route that many school districts are taking throughout Colorado, and was recently explored by the RE-1 Cripple Creek/Victor School District, which was recently successful in getting the okay for a sales tax increase to benefit their trade school facility.
For months, the continuation of the sales tax increase has been highly debated at Woodland Park City Council meetings.
— Michael Perini, Registered Agent
