NOVEMBER 2016
In late August of this year, Cherry Creek School District Superintendent, Harry Bull Jr., issued a letter regarding the fact that the Cherry Creek School District had received no funding from marijuana taxes. This revenue only went to rural schools. In the 2016-17 school year, Cherry Creek Schools is facing a shortage of $20 million, in addition to being underfunded annually by $50 million. This new proposed tax would cause an increase in property taxes by an average of $8/month for homeowners living in the Cherry Creek School District.
The proposal for more schools receiving marijuana tax money is divided into two issues: 3A and 3B.
Issue 3A is the budget and will cost taxpayers about $23.9 million. This is making up for budget deficits from when the state cut the education budget during the 2008 recession. The money would go towards general maintenance for schools, paying for teacher salaries, and updating technology.
Issue 3B is the bond and would provide a total of $250 million to cover major renovations, curriculum overhaul, and new facilities.
$7.77 million from 3B would go to a new project, Cherry Creek 2021 (CC2021). The project is a curriculum overhaul to focus new teaching on critical thinking skills, project based learning, communication skills, and working in teams. Elementary and middle schools will each receive up to $750,000 to develop the new curriculum.
$90.75 million would go to the updating and constructing of new facilities. $40 million would go to the construction of a Career and Innovation Center — a facility that will be available to 11th and 12th graders by 2021— and will focus on career and technical education. Excluding the extra amount the district provides, Eaglecrest would receive $219,770 for general maintenance.
These improvements to the school district would increase property values of homes in the area, making homes easier to sell, and the new schools offer an incentive to elementary school parents who want their children to attend the new Career & Innovation Academy.