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Financing Public Schools FY 2021-22

Financing Public Schools FY 2021-22

PUBLISHED
 
08/11/2021

Three bills were enacted during the 2021 legislative session that substantively impacted the financing of public schools in Colorado:

  • Senate Bill 21-268 provided funding for school districts in FY 2021-22, modified the school finance formula, and made administrative and grant program funding changes. It was signed into law by the Governor on June 11, 2021 and took effect on that date.
  • House Bill 21-1164 began phasing out the total program mill levy tax credits that were put in place through the enactment of House Bill 20-1418.
  • House Bill 21-1325 reestablished the Legislative Interim Committee on School Finance for two disadvantage.

This memorandum summarizes the primary funding changes for school finance which were enacted during the 2021 legislative session.  Estimates in this memorandum will be adjusted during the 2022 legislative session through the enactment of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) supplemental bill, based on actual pupil counts and local property tax collections.

CASB Serving You, 20Aug21

CASB Serving You!

August 20, 2021
CASB believes that quality public education is the foundation for our nation’s economic prosperity, community’s quality of life, and every child’s opportunity to live their best life. The following are current events and opportunities for our members:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

  • Join CASB, CDE, and CSFP for the next free CASB Conversations webinar that will focus on "What You Need to Know About the Mill Levy Correction" on Monday, August 23 at 3pmRegister on our website.
  • Attention Policy Governance member boards — on Thursday, August 26, at 6:00pm there is a free CASB Conversations webinar: Policy Governance New School Year ChecklistRegister on our website (member login required).
  • CASB Regional Meetings are taking place in September-October and are a great opportunity to connect with your peers in person this fall:

Region 1 - 9/13 in Brush (register)


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Youth scholarships available for the CBHC Annual Behavioral Health Conference

 

CBHC Annual Behavioral Health Conference

Youth Scholarships Available - Apply by Sept. 3
 
The State Youth Council, in partnership with the Colorado Behavioral Health Council (CBHC), is excited to offer 17 youth scholarships for the 2021 CBHC Annual Behavioral Health Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.

Applications are due by Sept. 3.


This opportunity is extended to students aged 18-22 interested in the behavioral health field. Scholarship recipients will receive full paid conference registration and three nights complimentary hotel accommodations, and will be paired with one of Colorado’s Community Mental Health Centers for mentorship. Learn more about the opportunity.
 
Apply by Sept. 3
This year's conference will take place in Breckenridge at the Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center. This learning experience will provide an opportunity to hear two keynote speakers and over 80 experts in their field from across Colorado and the country. 
 
Learn More About the Conference
If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected]. 

Governor Polis Discusses State’s Response and Recovery Efforts, Announces More Vaccine Incentive, Programs to Keep Kids in School

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Conor Cahill | [email protected] 

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CASB Serving You, 13Aug21

CASB Serving You!

August 13, 2021
CASB believes that quality public education is the foundation for our nation’s economic prosperity, community’s quality of life, and every child’s opportunity to live their best life. The following are current events and opportunities for our members:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

  • Join CASB, CDE, and CSFP for the next free CASB Conversations webinar that will focus on "What You Need to Know About the Mill Levy Correction" on Monday, August 23 at 3pm. Register on our website.
  • Attention Policy Governance member boards — on Thursday, August 26, at 6:00pm there is a free CASB Conversations webinar: Policy Governance New School Year Checklist. Register on our website (member login required).
  • CASB Regional Meetings are taking place in September-October and are a great opportunity to connect with your peers in person this fall:

Region 1 - 9/13 in Brush (register)


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2022 Colorado Superintendent of the Year award

 

Announcement from CASE regarding 2022 Colorado Superintendent of the Year award

 
 

As the statewide membership organization for public education leaders, CASE is always eager to share the stories of outstanding leadership in our public schools. Honoring award winners each year is a tremendous privilege and a process we are always excited to coordinate. As CASE members, you are aware of your colleagues, mentors, supervisors, and friends who are so deserving of recognition, and whose leadership is worthy of celebration.

With that in mind, we hope you’ll consider nominating an exceptional superintendent for the 2022 American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Superintendent of the Year for Colorado. Our Colorado winner will automatically become eligible for next year’s national award.

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Early Childhood Learning Commission

Department of Early Childhood Transition Planning Newsletter

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This Month's Newsletter At-A-Glance

 

 

A Message from the ECLC

Thank you to all of those who have been actively participating in the process to create a new, unified department to oversee the state’s early childhood education systems, including a voluntary universal preschool program. We value your engagement in this process; it’s integral to shaping the future of the system to benefit our youngest learners, their families, and their education and care providers.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last evening for our first monthly Town Hall; if you weren't able to join, you can review the recording here, and we hope to see you next month. 


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Toolkit and Resources for 2021 School Guidance

Toolkit and Resources for 2021 School Guidance

This toolkit and the resources included within it were developed in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials and the Colorado Department of Education.

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CHSAA Board of Directors Reflects at Retreat

General 8/7/2021 3:13:27 PM CHSAANow.com

CHSAA Board of Directors Reflects at Retreat

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CHSAA Board of Directors Reflects at Retreat
CHSAANow.com
 
AURORA – On Friday and Saturday, the Colorado High School Activities Board of Directors convened for its annual retreat to discuss its approach to guiding the Association into the upcoming school year.
 
The tone of the two-day meeting, led by new board president Luke DeWolfe, was positive and forward-thinking throughout while the Board of Directors worked to redesign its plan and philosophy for the future.
 

"The CHSAA Board is ready to provide opportunities for kids to participate in activites," CHSAA Board President Luke DeWolfe said. "This weekend was an excellent opportunity for us all to reconnect as state leaders serving education-based activities. It was an opportunity for the Board to take some valuable time to discuss our vision, mission and core values – and to collectively share our 'whys' for doing what we do – and we will continue to focus on the needs for all student-athletes and programs across the state of Colorado."
 

“Thanks to CHSAA for helping to elevate the gifts and talents in our student-athletes that the world communities need,” said Tony Exum Sr., who serves in the Colorado House of Representatives. “Keep on keeping on.”
 

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on this distinguished Board,” said Dr. Emma Rae Martinez, Superintendent of Schools for South Conejos School District. “It is refreshing to know this board is solution-focused. I live in belief that when someone comes to me with a problem, they should also have a solution or they are part of the problem.”
 
 
“The CHSAA Board Retreat provided a great opportunity for the members to connect with each other and our 'whys' (individual and collective) as we enter the upcoming school year and work to create and enhance relationships and communication as we all strive to meet the vision and mission of CHSAA and provide opportunities for all of our students from all parts of the state,” said Alfie Lotrich, District 9.
 

"A retreat is always an opportunity to evaluate where you were, where you are and where you are going," CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said. "And my staff and I are just ready to work collaboratively with the CHSAA Board of Directors."

Mental Health America (MHA) is accepting applications for our 2021-2022 Young Mental Health Leaders Council (YMHLC) until August 20.

REMINDER: Mental Health America (MHA) is accepting applications for our 2021-2022 Young Mental Health Leaders Council (YMHLC) until August 20.

YMHLC identifies young adults (18-25) who have created programs and initiatives that fill gaps in mental health resources in their communities. From policy to apps and peer support to sports, MHA’s young adult leaders are making a difference to meet the needs of their peers. Selected applicants participate in a six-month cohort to connect and share ideas with other leaders from across the US.

In addition to attending monthly 90-minute meetings over the six-month term, YMHLC members will:

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CASB Serving You, 6Aug21

CASB Serving You!

August 6, 2021
CASB believes that quality public education is the foundation for our nation’s economic prosperity, community’s quality of life, and every child’s opportunity to live their best life. The following are current events and opportunities for our members:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

  •  CASB Regional Meetings are taking place in September-October and are a great opportunity to connect with your peers in person this fall:


Read More

Field Notes: A Quarterly Newsletter from the Colorado State Land Board

Summer 2021

 
IN THIS ISSUE ...
 
$297 MILLION IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS ANNOUNCED

Trust land is leased to earn income for Colorado public schools. We're proud to be the primary funding source for the Department of Education's Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program, which provides capital construction grants to schools.

In May, BEST announced its list of 2021-22 construction projects to receive grants: 41 school districts across Colorado are recommended to receive $297 million in grants to build new schools or make renovations. View the full list of 20211-22 recommended projects.

“Our new school is a source of pride for our community," said Kendra Anderson, who was Superintendent at Otis School District R-3 when the community received a $17 million grant to build a new pre K-12 school in 2017. "Students come to a safe and healthy environment each day and have access to technologies that they didn’t have in the old facilities. The district has doubled in students living in poverty in just a few years. For some students, this is the nicest environment that they exist in."

Watch our 90-second video to learn more how trust land is leased to earn money for schools:
 
 
MILE HIGH YOUTH CORPS VOLUNTEERS REPAIR FENCES AT LOWRY RANCH 
Nick Trainor Mentors Youth  

 
Seven young adults from Mile High Youth Corps volunteered to repair fencing at Lowry Ranch, a 26,000-acre property located east of Denver in Arapahoe County. Working in nearly 100-degree heat in mid-June, the volunteers received guidance from Nick Trainor, owner/operator of Trainor Cattle Company, who leases the property for grazing. The volunteers removed old, unnecessary fencing to improve wildlife movements in the riparian corridor.

Rotational grazing is a method in which ranchers manage their herds such that the cattle sequentially graze only one area of land at time while the remainder of the property's land rests. Ranchers do so by strategically sectioning the land with fences. Most ranchers see reduced costs and increased profit from rotational grazing systems. Plus, the land is left in better condition.

“Grazing leases are a huge part of land stewardship for us. Grazing improves the land over time if you do it right," said William Woolston, Field Operations Supervisor for the State Land Board. "Nick is getting it done right at Lowry. It's fantastic that he is sharing his knowledge in rangeland management with young people."


[Photos courtesy of Raquel Wertsbaugh.]
 
AVOID HUMAN-CAUSED FIRES 

Like many destinations in the West, Colorado is forecasting a warm, dry summer. Be careful with campfires and check local restrictions before enjoying a campfire, fireworks, or other activities that use an open flame.

Nearly one million acres of trust land is accessible to sportsmen and anglers for limited, seasonal hunting and fishing through the Public Access Program, which is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). But natural events can affect sportsmen's ability to access hunting grounds. Fires, mudslides, tree mitigation, and other events can occur anytime, closing campgrounds, roads, and trails.

Before you head out, be sure to check with land management agencies for the latest information. If you have questions about licenses, or general questions about fire restrictions or hunting, contact your local CPW office.


Watch a quick video about campfire guidelines:

 
 
NFWF GRANTS $668,000 FOR TWO HABITAT PROJECTS ON TRUST LAND

Two habitat restoration projects on trust land properties are being funded, in part, from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources (RESTOREColorado grant program. Central Colorado Conservancy's project titled “Restoring Riparian and Wetland Habitat to Benefit Trout Spawning in Badger Creek” received a $390,000 grant. Montezuma Land Conservancy’s “Restoring Sagebrush Shrubland for Sage-Grouse and Big Game Habitat” project received a $278,000 grant.

Both groups will work collaboratively with the State Land Board, private landowners, and other government agencies to achieve habitat improvement goals on state trust land as well as adjacent lands.

At Badger Creek Headwaters watershed, Central Colorado Conservancy and the Badger Creek Partnership will improve 8,909 acres of rangeland habitat. They'll restore 6.7 miles of stream geomorphology and 85 acres of wetlands, reconnect 142 acres of floodplain and native riparian vegetation, and build 1.6 miles of livestock fencing. The completed demonstration project pictured right shows a successfully restored riparian habitat 
led by Badger Creek Partnership.

Montezuma Land Conservancy will enhance Gunnison sage grouse and working lands resilience in sagebrush shrublands. Their mesic restoration project in San Miguel County includes installing 100 Zeedyk structures (pictured below). Zeedyks are hand-built rock formations that restore the hydrologic and ecological function of wet meadows.

"This important work will restore riparian and wetland areas, improve grazing capacity, and enhance habitat on trust land," said Lindsey Brandt, Stewardship Trust Manager for the State Land Board. "We're thrilled that these partners are leveraging grant money from RESTORE to improve the habitat on trust land."

RESTORE funds at-scale habitat restoration, expansion, and improvement projects across priority landscapes in Colorado. RESTORE awarded more than $3 million to ten recipients this year. 
Read more about RESTORE and the ten funded projects.
 
30,000 ACRES OF TRUST LAND DESIGNATED INTO CPW'S NATURAL AREAS PROGRAM

Twenty-four parcels of state trust land totaling more than 30,000 acres are designated into the Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP)

CNAP is a statewide program managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The CNAP team focuses on the recognition and protection of areas that contain at least one unique or high-quality natural feature of statewide significance. CNAP works cooperatively with landowners to identify, monitor, and protect a system of natural areas representing a diverse spectrum of Colorado's natural heritage.

Check out CNAP's interactive map that describes the attributes of each property:

 
ONLINE CUSTOMER PORTAL: slb.colorado.gov/customer-portal

Want to pay your bills online? Use the customer portal to pay open invoices on active leases using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or an electronic check. The customer portal is an easy, fast, and secure way to pay your rent.
  • Already have an account? Log in.
  • Want to create a customer portal account? Join now
 
HELP US MITIGATE NOXIOUS WEEDS ON TRUST LAND
Medusahead and myrtle spurge


The State Land Board partners with lessees to manage noxious weeds on trust lands. We follow the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s noxious weed list that puts weeds into management categories. Contact your district manager if you have questions about, or need support in, managing noxious weeds. We may be able to offer weed mitigation cost-sharing.

Help us eradicate these two noxious weeds:

Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) is a winter annual grass native to Europe and Asia. Medusahead infestations displace native vegetation and can greatly reduce carrying capacity of rangelands for domestic livestock. The barbs or awns on the seed head can cause puncture wounds to grazing animals, as well as cling to the feet and fur of animals or hikers’ socks. The yellowish-green sheen of dense stands is highly visible after other annual grasses turn brown.

Identifying attributes:
  • Stems are wiry and slender with a few short leaves
  • Awns are long and twisted
  • Mature grass grows 6" to 24" tall 
Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) is a low-growing perennial with trailing fleshy stems. Myrtle spurge spreads by seed, and plants are capable of projecting seeds up to 15 feet. The plant grows from a taproot, with new stems emerging in early spring and dying back in the winter. Myrtle spurge contains a toxic, milky sap which can cause severe skin irritations, including blistering. This plant is poisonous if ingested and causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 Identifying attributes:
  • Leaves are fleshy, blue-green and alternate
  • Flowers are inconspicuous with yellow-green, petal-like bracts that appear from March to May 
  • Plants can grow up to 8" to 12" high and 12" to 18" in width
[Source and photo credits: Colorado Department of Agriculture]
 
HELPFUL LINKS

Use our maps to look up land
View your account online
Contact us with questions/comments
Join us at board meetings and/or read the meeting minutes

The Scoop, 4 August 2021

 
 
 

Wednesday, August 04, 2021

** Action Item

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Early Childhood Leadership Commission will host monthly informational Town Halls

TRANSITION PLANNING

Monthly Town Hall

AND OTHER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Monthly Town Hall - Aug 10 at 5:30pm

Starting in August, the Early Childhood Leadership Commission will host monthly informational Town Halls to provide families, providers, members of the workforce, and early childhood stakeholders with updates about the transition planning process and opportunities to get involved.
 
Join us on Tuesday, August 10 at 5:30pm for our first virtual Town Hall to hear:
  • New Department of Early Childhood’s Mission and Vision 
  • Highlights from the TAG and Subgroup meetings 
  • Upcoming ways to engage
Spanish language interpretation will be available.  

Save your seat - register now

 

 
 
El Early Childhood Leadership Commission esta organizando reuniones informativas mensuales para compartirles a familias, proveedores, miembros de la fuerza laboral y todos los interesados información acerca de todo lo que ha estado ocurriendo en el proceso de planificación de la transición y las oportunidades de participación para el próximo mes.
 
¡Únase a nosotros el martes 10 de agosto a las 5:30 pm para nuestra primera reunión virtual del pueblo! Proporcionaremos información acerca de:
  • La misión y visión para el nuevo Departamento de la Infancia
  • Aspectos destacados de las reuniones de los TAG y subgrupos
  • Otras formas de como participar
Habrá interpretación en español disponible.
 

Guarde su asiento - ¡regístrese ahora!

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

LISTENING SESSION
Program Providers

Programs Providers are invited to join an interactive listening session to share their experiences navigating the early childhood system.
 

AUGUST 3 ~ 12:00-1:00 PM
REGISTER HERE!

AUGUST 3 ~ 5:30-6:30 PM
REGISTER HERE!

LEARN MORE

TRANSITION ADVISORY GROUP
Monthly Meeting

The Transition Advisory Group will hold its second meeting on Wednesday, August 4 from 3:00-5:00pm and will be discussing the programs and structure of the new Department of Early Childhood.

Learn more about the TAG and how to join the meeting HERE!

 
LEARN MORE

SUBGROUPS
Meetings Next Week

Subgroup Meetings will meet again the week of August 9-13 to to advise and inform the transition planning process. 

Learn more about each subgroup, including the notes and recordings from previous meetings,  HERE!  

Or sign up to receive more information.
 
LEARN MORE
Please reach out to Kristina Heyl at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you all for your commitment to this exciting work! 

For additional information about the transition process, visit www.earlychildhoodcolorado.org/transition.

State updates school guidance ahead of the school year

State updates school guidance ahead of the school year

Statewide, (July 30, 2021): The state updated the practical guide for operationalizing school guidance today, recommending that local public health agencies and school districts consider either mask requirements for all unvaccinated individuals-- or a masking requirement for all individuals in schools, particularly in higher-risk environments. The updated guidance comes in response to the CDC releasing new guidance earlier this week and as the state defends itself against the Delta variant.

While the state guidance outlines how local districts and governments can operationalize CDC guidance, it is distinct in providing greater options for schools. The CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

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The Scoop, 28Jul21

 
 
 

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

** Action Item

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Host a COVID-19 Vaccination site

Download the flyer

CSFP Conference: After COVID, Now What? How Money Matters

Colorado School Finance Project’s Inaugural Conference

After COVID, Now What?
How Money Matters

Join CSFP as it hosts its Inaugural Conference. Join this in-person conference this fall.

Discuss and learn how to think about school funding in a post-COVID climate.


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CASB Serving You, 30Jul21

CASB Serving You!

July 30, 2021
CASB believes that quality public education is the foundation for our nation’s economic prosperity, community’s quality of life, and every child’s opportunity to live their best life. The following are current events and opportunities for our members:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING


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Ed Review_07/23/21

 

July 23, 2021

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