Provide Feedback on the 2011-2012 Jeffco Budget

COLORADO’S K-12 CUTS FORCE
DEEP JEFFCO REDUCTIONS 

The president of the Jefferson County Board of Education announced today that because of the state’s budget crisis, the district will cut nearly $40 million from its 2011-12 budget.  The cuts include the proposed closure of two schools, a three percent loss of compensation for all employees and the suspension of outdoor lab for sixth-graders.

The list of proposed cuts was developed after an historic employee summit.  Participants included two representatives each from the Jefferson County Board of Education, the Jefferson County Education Association, the Classified School Employee Association, the Jefferson County Administrators Association and district leadership. The summit was facilitated by a federal mediator. 

The list of proposed reductions includes:

• A three percent loss of compensation for all employees, resulting in a four-work-day reduction and two student-contact furlough days.
  
• The closure of Martensen and Zerger elementary schools. 
• A loss of 212 jobs throughout the district, including teachers, administrators and support staff.
  
• Moving Long View High School staff and students to McLain High School
  
• Higher athletic fees
  
• Transportation fees
  
• The suspension of the outdoor lab experience for Jeffco sixth-graders at Mt. Evans and Windy Peak

"We recognize that some of these recommendations will be difficult for our community, but they are the right decisions during tough economic times.  The employee summit demonstrated bold leadership on the part of our employee associations, our board and our district administration,” said Board of Education President Dave Thomas. 

“Our staff is absorbing the brunt of the reductions with the loss of jobs and the loss of compensation in order to have the least impact on our students and the quality of education they are receiving,” said Jeffco Superintendent Dr. Cindy Stevenson.

To view the proposed reductions visit: www.jeffcopublicschools.org

Provide feedback to the school district regarding the proposed budget cuts by completing this form or attending a public meeting.

Public Budget Forum

 A public budget forum will take place at

Evergreen Middle School
Saturday, April 30th
10-11:30 a.m.

Please plan to attend and make your voice heard!

Also

A public hearing regarding the budget will be held during the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, May 5th starting at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at the Education Center, 1829 Denver West Dr., Bldg. 27, 5th floor, Golden. 

In order to hear as many community voices as possible, the Board of Education has adjusted its public comment guidelines: individuals who sign up on the Public Comment Roster on the day of the meeting will have two minutes to address the Board of Education. Groups of four or more individuals on the same topic will have five minutes to address the Board. Sign-up occurs on the day of the public hearing beginning at 4 p.m. on the 5th floor, or before 4 p.m. in the Board of Education office.

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