The Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 School District released an online survey late last week seeking input about a potential tax increase.
Superintendent Alex Carter floated the idea of a mill levy override request at a community forum last fall. Earlier this month, he said an additional revenue stream would be needed, and the survey would serve as a fact-finding mission as the district contemplates an official mill levy override request.
“We must develop a plan to move forward,” said Carter.
A year from possible state education turnaround status, Carter indicated that student performance had improved, but not quickly enough. To accelerate academic achievement, a possible solution may be to add 10 days to the school year, which would require an additional 5.5 percent in funding for teacher salaries.
Anther area of concern raised in the survey includes addressing the district’s aging transportation fleet. Carter said 12 of the district’s 20 school buses have more than 300,000 miles of service, and no new buses have been purchased since 2009. A new bus costs about $100,000.
Other issues addressed in the survey include possible funding scenarios aimed to prepare students for college and careers, improved safety and security in deteriorating school buildings and reestablishing student services cut after the Great Recession.
A disclaimer in the survey notes that the suggested costs associated with each initiative were only estimates.
School leaders have forecast a $633,000 budget deficit for the current school year.
To complete the survey, visit http://bit.ly/Re1Survey.