I am writing in favor of Amendment 73 because the state needs a sustainable source of revenue to adequately and equitably fund public education.
The increasing deficit for public education is not only felt in Montezuma County and in the Cortez School District but statewide. We cannot pay our teachers a competitive salary. This amendment would stabilize and increase funding statewide for preschool through 12th grade public education.
The amendment would also allow school districts to make local decisions about the best use of the new funds that reflect local community priorities and needs. For example, the Cortez School District could use the funds to give our teachers and staff a reasonable salary increase, acquire technology and increase safety and security.
We could also begin a bus replacement rotation to put newer buses on the roads.
These funds would stabilize the local share of required school formula funding and create a dedicated source of state revenue for education. It would also provide additional flexibility for the state to use more of its general operating budget on other core programs. And as a reminder, one of the government’s most important functions is to provide children a higher quality education.
Our students in the Cortez School District and Montezuma County need and deserve quality education because they are our future. Let’s help our students by voting YES on Amendment 73.
Tammy Hooten, School Board director
Cortez