1. CAN THE POLITICAL WILL BE CHANGED THROUGH A GRASS ROOTS PROCESS? LINK TO INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION PASSWORD IS: COLORADO Educating Colorado Project (ECP)

2. What we know to be true -

3. Districts are finding it harder to meet the financial needs of supporting a quality education.

4. OH My – TMI

5. Bell Policy Center Study of TABOR from a 2003 report. While most states operate with some tax or spending limits, TABOR is the most restrictive limitation in the country, Some believe this restraint is necessary. The argument is that smaller government is always better, and that authority for making decisions about the level of taxation and spending should rest exclusively with voters. Philosophically, these arguments are appealing. Everyone wants efficient government and a role in how our money is spent. At the same time, most of us would agree that effective government must be responsive to changing economic conditions and the needs of society and its citizens. Under TABOR, Coloradans have had an unprecedented opportunity to set state fiscal policy through the ballot box. And under TABOR, state government has grown only slightly. But our research also points to structural flaws in the amendment that have seriously impaired the state’s ability to set budgetary and program priorities and respond to crises, such as the recession of 2001-03. In short, TABOR has created a state government that is hamstrung by inflexible rules that make it unresponsive and less effective. (Ten Years of TABOR. (2003, April 1). Retrieved July 22, 2015.)

6. What does it all mean??? WE are in big trouble –  The State cannot afford everything it needs to fund.  The interactions of TABOR, Gallagher, and Amendment 23 have caused a difficult issue to become impossible.  Voters have not shown the “Political Will” to pass a state-wide tax.  Our elected officials show little to no “Political Will” to make the changes necessary to fix the issues.

7. What have we done Two years of superintendent’s letters to our elected officials. Constant pressure on our elected officials and providing information to our local communities. Local Mill/Bond efforts to stem the tide. Other -

8. What else can we do? People need to be able to understand the issue from a local perspective to be able to make a more informed decisions, that just might lead to a change in the “Political Will” of our communities and leaders. In our world of video media rich, text delimiting information, we need to take our message to the AIR.

9. Example of the Align Media Work Link to Garfield 16Garfield 16

10. General Proposal Create a documentary and supporting media to really tell the story of what is going out in our communities.  How does TABOR, Gallagher, and Amendment 23 Work?  What impact does it have on schools, roads, other governmental services?  What does this mean to the local farmer, construction worker, oil/gas employee??? Use the RSA map to make it a local endeavor. Video (Documentary and short clip, website, handouts) Work in conjunction with other efforts. Great EducationGreat Education

11. Regional Service Area Map

12. Your Voice Is Critical Please think about;  Who would you have a camera crew talk to about how the negative factor and school finance have impacted your district?  What other ideas do you have to support this type of an effort?  What are we missing in thinking about this endeavor?

13. What we need to get this thing going Your ideas – Who, What, Where is the story? Your support – Get the word out to your regional superintendent’s and BOCES folks. $1,000 from each district to make it happen.  Grant dollars are in the works, but that takes time and we don’t have time.

14. Next Steps Can your district support this financially? If we could $1,000 from each district, we can make this happen. Are you willing to help facilitate the filming/meeting of folks in your region? Can you help get the word out to your region with the other superintendents?  What do you need to do this?  How can we make this work for everyone?

15. Our kids deserve our best effort to make their education the pathway to their dreams.

16. To Support The ECP Send donations to:  Garfield 16 – ECP Project  285 North Parachute Avenue  Parachute, Colorado 81635  We are going to try to get commitments by the end of September and all donations in by October 15 th. At that time, we will assess where we are in terms of funding the project. If we cannot make it work, we will send your dollars back.