1. Douglas County Schools Public Education: The Heart of Democracy Taxpayers for Public Education The Class of 2023 www.taxpayersforpubliceducation.org

2. Douglas County Schools Educational Quality, Choice, Equality 60,000 students Third largest school district in state Strong graduation rate Surveys show parents are satisfied with their children’s schools in Douglas County

3. Quality, Equality Douglas County students outpace state performance in every grade and every subject as measured by the CSAP test Consistent #1 ranking Achievement Opportunity Public schools serve every child

4. Choice 11 charter schools 1 magnet school 8 alternative high schools 1 on-line school 49 elementary schools 9 middle schools 9 high schools 34 am/pm preschool sessions Charter, Magnet, Alternative Schools Bottom line: High quality education for all kids in Douglas County

5. School Funding Struggling economy + Shortfall in state revenue Cuts in education Colorado faces $1.1 billion revenue shortfall for 2011- 2012 budget Governor’s new proposal: K-12 funding cut by $375 million, schools lose $497 per student

6. School Funding: Douglas County District funding cut by $100,000,000 Graduation requirements were lowered 170 teaching positions cut Class sizes increased Activity fees increased Parents pay for busing 2007 – 2011: The future: 2011-2012 cuts in District could be more than $30 million What does this mean for our children?

7. Risks of Voucher Program No Equality: Private schools don’t serve all children Limited Choice: Only a few students will be included; public tax dollars paying for an elite program

8. Risks of Voucher Program Quality? No research shows that voucher programs are beneficial to school districts No research shows that voucher programs create better students or schools Who’s accountable? Not private schools. They use taxpayer dollars and taxpayers have no voice in how the money is spent.

9. Risks of Voucher Program Budget DCSD cannot afford to have public tax dollars leave the District DCSD cannot afford to pay for a chosen few to attend private school Huge financial risk for neighborhood schools District states that vouchers will hurt public schools.

10. Risks of Voucher Program Pilot program What does expansion look like? Future issues: Philosophical and legal problems: Possible lawsuits District has said it’s not adding to legal fund Who is District’s potential partner in court battle?

11. Why risk our children? Why now? Why jeopardize the Choice, Efficiency, Equality, and QUALITY our schools provide today? www.taxpayersforpubliceducation.org