Weld County Re-3J MLO Override

Funding Our Future

Bryan Hafner

Chair, Funding Our Future This Election Day, our community has an important decision to make for the future of our students, families, teachers and local schools. By voting Yes on Issue 5C, we can continue the Weld County Re-3J School District’s voter-approved Mill Levy Override and ensure that our local schools remain strong during these uncertain times.

Without raising taxes, 5C continues the 2016 Mill Levy Override to provide $3.3 million annually in stable, reliable funding for our school district. This funding is critical considering the district’s budget was reduced by more than $1 million this year because of cuts in the state of Colorado’s budget. These cuts are completely out of our control, and they are expected to get worse over the next few years.

Voting Yes on 5C will provide some certainty to allow our school district to provide safe learning environments; support our students’ mental well-being; retain dedicated, quality teachers; and ensure that our children have the resources to learn in the classroom and online. 5C is not a tax increase. The measure continues funding already approved by voters in 2016. The district has put these funds to good use by improving student instruction, reducing class sizes, retaining teachers, offering more electives like arts and STEM, and maintaining our buildings and transportation fleet. The district has done exactly what voters asked it to do in 2016 when they approved the MLO.

The 2016 measure required voters to approve its continuation, and despite the pandemic, now is the time for that vote. The district’s Board of Education unanimously referred 5C to the ballot so that our community can show its support for local schools, students and teachers.

Over the next few months, the Funding Our Future committee will be campaigning for 5C and raising awareness about the great work being done by our school district. We are always looking for supporters and volunteers. Please visit Yeson5C.org to learn more about Issue 5C and our campaign.

We appreciate the community’s support for our schools, and with your help, 5C will be successful on Election Day. Please be sure to vote Yes on 5C when your ballot arrives.

Vote Yes on 5C

I can hardly believe that four years have passed, and here we are at the next election year. And for me, some things in those four years have really changed, like COVID and remote learning, and others have remained constant, like my dedication to Re-3J and our community--which happens to be the intent of my letter. The resiliency. support, and cohesiveness that our district displays in good times, and in the not so good, is what I feel is our strongest attribute.

We are quickly approaching November 3rd, and registered voters have much to think about. I hope you know how much the Mill Levy Override that you voted on and passed four years ago has helped our district. Re-3J is not just a collection of schools, but rather a collection of diversity in those schools. It isn’t enough that we exist as just schools, not just a place to learn, but more importantly, a place to belong, to grow, and to thrive. It’s a place where students are proud to attend and be a part of a community they are proud to represent, The money from the mill levy is responsible for many programs and opportunities through our district. I am sure you have concerns during this economically stressful time whether approving the mill levy is worth it. Please know that the answer is yes!

The mill levy is a powerful tool that allows our school community to thrive and flourish. The mill levy funds various programs that allow our students to contribute, participate, and call our school community a home, a place to belong. These programs include pillars that strengthen the foundation of our community--sciences, arts, and athletics.. The trifecta of what the foundation of what a school should be.

Without this funding, Re-3J would be just that--school walls with limited opportunity inside This additional funding provided by our local community helps to ensure smaller class sizes K-12. This grows the opportunity for strong relationships between students and teachers, students and their peers, and teachers and parents. Academic programs such as STEM, art, and other electives are only affordable thanks to our communities support of this mill levy. The programs we can offer through this funding are the same programs where students develop friendships, better their skills, give back to their community, and most importantly, have a place where they belong. One big factor that helps foster that positive academic environment for students and create a successful educational community is teacher retention. Supporting the mill levy ensures that each classroom will have the necessities that we need so we can focus on building a successful classroom, year after year. Turnover doesn’t allow us that opportunity.

Our mission is to ensure that ALL students can excel, are held accountable, have rigorous and engaging curriculum, feel supported by staff, and ultimately, are successful after high school. Please know that the mill levy ensures schools can do all of these things. Without it, test scores will drop, teachers will leave, and students will not have the opportunities they seek and desire, but more importantly, deserve.

Please vote YES on 5C to continue the MLO this November. Let’s remember that these kids are a big part of this community I am ever so grateful to be a part of.

Lori DeVoe

Science teacher, Student Council co-advisor, We Care president

Weld Central High School

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