Great Futures Coalition News Release - July 15, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
July 15, 2010
Great Futures Colorado Campaign
www.greatfuturescolorado.org
Contact: Lisa Weil, Policy Director
Great Education Colorado
303-722-5901 (O)
lisa@greateducation.org
New Report Surveys K-12 Cuts for Upcoming Year
Education Coalition: “We will not let another year pass without giving voters the opportunity to provide a better legacy for our children.”
DENVER – Responding to the negative impacts of state budget cuts on Colorado students detailed in a new report by the Colorado School Finance Project, the Great Futures Colorado coalition today released an open letter to Colorado voters. By signing the letter, hundreds of Coloradans statewide joined the coalition’s call for a ballot measure in 2011 to address Colorado’s education funding crisis.
The CSFP Report details the decisions made by districts and charter schools throughout the state to meet the requirement that they passed a balanced budget for the 2010-11 school year by June 30, 2010. The Report indicates that districts throughout the state are resorting to cost-cutting measures that will have a significant and lasting impact on students and families: increased class sizes, shorter school years, transportation and technology fees, deferred textbook purchases, reduced art, music and physical education programs, and even four-day school weeks.
“The report makes clear that kids throughout Colorado will be returning to more crowded classrooms, for fewer days, and with narrower curriculum,” said Lisa Weil, Policy Director of Great Education Colorado, a member of the Great Futures coalition. “With the real threat of even greater cuts to K-12 and higher ed looming for the next two years, public education supporters recognize this crisis will only deepen until the voters are given the opportunity to fix it.”
Great Futures is a diverse and growing coalition of community and statewide organizations that was formed in January 2010 to advocate for a P-20 education system that has the resources to prepare all children for the challenges of the 21st century. Earlier this year, the coalition called on the legislature to refer a measure to the ballot in November 2010 to provide a mechanism for preventing even deeper cuts, but the legislation failed.
“We cannot stand idly by as cuts grow deeper every year,” said Lynn Huizing, President of Colorado PTA, a member of the Great Futures coalition. “Our constituents understand that our children can’t wait any longer for us to get our priorities straight and live our values. This letter is their way of saying inaction is no longer an option.”
More than sixty communities – from Arvada to Yampa, and Grand Junction to Rush – are represented in the open letter. Signers of all walks of life, ages, political parties, and occupations added their names to the list, showing the breadth and depth of support for public education in Colorado.
The text of the open letter and list of signers follows.
An open letter to the people of Colorado:
As citizens and taxpayers, we know that education is the most important investment we can make in our children, our state and our economy.
Unfortunately, Colorado's state budget doesn't reflect those values. Colorado ranks among the bottom states in support for our schools, colleges and universities -- and now we're making even more crippling and irreversible cuts.
The legislature could have given voters a chance to better fund education by passing the "DECIDE" referendum (HCR 1002), which was proposed by the Great Futures Colorado coalition. Because the legislature didn't, the November 2010 ballot won't give voters any opportunity to prevent and reverse cuts. Even worse, three initiatives on the ballot (Proposition 101, and Amendments 60 & 61) would even further decimate public education.
We, the undersigned, are parents and grandparents. We are Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters; businesspeople, clergy, professionals, students and educators; we are rural, urban, suburban, P-12 and higher ed.
We are the public education supporters of Colorado and we will not let another year pass without giving Colorado voters the opportunity to provide a better legacy for our children.
We commit to a ballot measure in November 2011 that will increase funding for public education, because our children have already waited far too long.
Signed,
Margie Adams, Centennial · Virginia Belval, Broomfield · Bruce Broderius, Greeley · Rebecca Browning, Boulder · Lois Carpenter, Bayfield · Michelle Conroy, Moffat County · David Delgado, Greeley · William Roberts, Crestone · Yvonne Siu-Runyan, Boulder · Denise Hoctor, Grand Junction · Jody Dosher, Aurora · Diana Fields, Boulder · Gwen & Flick Fornia, Englewood · Jennifer Garcia, Denver · Bernie Kern, Denver · Jennifer Hilger, Centennial · M .L. Johnson, Fort Collins · Wayne Knox, Denver · Michelle Ku, Denver · J Berendt, Littleton · Mary Davenport · Aaron Tate, Brighton · Jen Burch, Littleton · Carl Dixon · Heather Nolen, Commerce City · Nancy Hedke, Centennial · Sue Catterall, Littleton · Kathy Warrington, Aurora · Kendra Keegan, Englewood · Susan Hidalgo-Fahring, Longmont · Carla Hagerc, Fort Collins · Lisa Trank, Longmont · Melissa Morrow, Broomfield · Heather Sewczak · Amy Kotha, Castle Rock · Sharon Malloy, Longmont · Kim Marcantonio, Arvada · Nancy Mauro, Denver · Pete Maysmith, Denver · Diane Medina, Denver · Jim Mehlhop, Colorado Springs · Anne Miller, Denver · Debra Oberbeck, Westminster · Don Perl, Greeley · Peggy Frank · Bill Powell, Gunnison · Amy Prater · Ron Ratkovich, Arvada · Lynn Bliss Replinger, Centennial · Eli Reshotko · Marge Rinaldi, Westminster · Jamie Sarche, Denver · Linda Shoemaker And Steve Brett, Boulder · Diane Jarbawi, Denver · Amy Silvesky, Denver · William Spady, Dillon · Deborah Williams, Durango · Michelle Winzent, Golden · Martin Wolf, Colorado Spgs. · Grace Zirkelbach, Denver · Lesley Dahlkemper, Lakewood · Alice Potter, Westminster · Cindy Dreher, Westminster · Deborah Blake, Westminster · Terri Ellerbruch, Northglenn · Ann Chambers, Denver · Bob Selle, Calhan · Elsie Hughes, Littleton · Ginny Threefoot, Denver · Helayne Jones, Boulder · Janet Thrasher, Eagle · Jenny Roberts, Denver · John Lodenkamper, Golden · Judy Mckeon, Lakewood · Karen Fisher, Greenwood Village · Lisa Bailey, Westminster · Lisa Martin, Byers · Mary Wollard, Denver · Meg Goad, Colorado Springs · Mike Jagel, Evergreen · Nancy Aschermann, Rocky Ford · Patricia Richard-Amato, Woodland Park · Patty Bortz, Denver · Rachel Keller, Englewood · Rebecca O'Brien, Denver · Stephanie Stoetzer, Denver · Susan Marinelli, Evergreen · Tara Smith, Granby · Terri Goodspeed, Aurora · Anna Giebel, Arvada · Mary Neamon, Monte Vista · Michael Neil, Denver · Mary Wylie, Lakewood · Patricia Lang, Olathe · Rhonda Miller, Centennial · Linda Roady, Englewood · Johnita Levine, Arvada · Nancy McCanless, Lakewood · James Wood, Manitou Springs · Paul Day-Lucore, Denver · Therese Nellessen, Commerce City · Jennifer Keenan, Thornton · Kristen Stodden, Thornton · Amy Burke, Wheat Ridge · Katherine Steinberg, Denver · Elizabeth Mcguire, Denver · Grace Hopley, Denver · Claudia Mishell, Aurora · Caren Press, Denver · Susan Chandler, Centennial · Myra Rieger, Denver · Jane Feldman, Denver · Beth Cooper, Littleton · Padma Wick, Longmont · Jahnavi Syenflo, Boulder · Deb Gardner, Longmont · Monica Harrington, Crested Butte · Elinor Christiansen, Englewood · Debra Brown, Boulder · Donald Bruestle, Pueblo · Rabbi Joel Schwartzman, Lone Tree · Tracy Mott, Denver · Jody Stroh, Creede · Kelly Scarborough, Denver · Diane Sanders, Fort Collins · Nancy Carabell, Lafayette · Camille Pinkerton, Lone Tree · Dianne Wichmann, Westminster · Dorian De Long, Arvada · Karen Dunn-Bartlett, Denver · Allison Gleichman, Denver · Lonnie Samora, Arvada · Yvonne Bradford, Thorton · Renee Howell, Centennial · Sonia Immasche, Fort Collins · June Werner, Thornton · Julie Mccarthy, Westminster · Joe Michael, Aurora · Christopher Aamot, Boulder · Joyce Marino, Pueblo West · Russell Brown, Elizabeth · Deborah Irwin, Westminster · Annette Kelly, Westminster · Christine Spaeth, Eagle · Vince Snowberger, Louisville · Cheryl Gaines, Grand Junction · Scott Dowling, Denver · Kristen Speth, Denver · Jennifer Portillo, Denver · Ronald Brown, Longmont · Norman Traum, Boulder · Sue Von Roedern, Golden · Nancy Hilton-Briney, Denver · Casey Shea, Evergreen · Joan Marwitz, Centennial · Karen Prescott, Lakewood · Rick Beethe, Denver · Nancy Abbott, Kremmling · Donna Walker, Golden · Tina Delisa-Bosse, Arvada · Karen Mortimer, Denver · Deborah Fallin, Denver · Sue Windels, Arvada · Gail Shanahan, Highlands Ranch · Mary Patee, Arvada · Laura Gaeta, Colorado Springs · Mary Anne Fleury, Monument · Angel Morrison, Aurora · Shirley Trees, Colorado Springs · Susan Hunter Smith, Monument · Charla Mondragon, Lakewood · Jane Goff, Arvada · Karen Black, Littleton · Eden Ware, Denver · Janet Gilbert, Greenwood Village · Joanna Witt, Colorado Springs · Kathi Kotelko, Greenwood Village · Laura McDonald, Longmont · Deborah Stumpf, Monumente · Greg Shepherd, Monument · Kathleen Zachman, Lakewood · Ali Ramadei · Gabriele Lacrampe, Monument · Eileen Skahill, Monument · Christina Redman, Grand Lake · Deb Beckman, Greenwood Village · Julie Gonzales, Centennial · Jon Goldin-Dubois, Denver · Jeanette Allen, Mancos · Kelly Johnson, Golden · Michael Casper, Ordway · Jacqueline Murphy, Englewood · Drue Hanney, Monument · Nancy Todd, Aurora · Eleanor Polich, Colorado Springs · John Albright, Commerce City · Janet Meyer, Monte Vista · Mimi Johannes, Golden · Mark Machale, Dolores · Michelle Barkemeyer, Norwood · Terry Bradley, Boulder · Charlene Brock, Centennial · Barbara Leibensperger, Arvada · Kathy Marvel, Arvada · Heather Groff, Castle Rock · Monet Ragsdale, Norwood · Vicki Gutierrez, Craig · Julie Wesseling, Ridgway · Melissa Bent, Manitou Springs · Rebecca Sheinbaum, Aurora · Shelly Smith, Englewood · Cathy Royce, Canon City · Jessica Zimmerman, Boulder · Lisa Ruhnow, Monument · Susan Engeman, Denver · Jill Fellman, Arvada · Jim Renwick, Louisville · Curtis Gilmore, Wheat Ridge · Linnea Vass, Dolores · Karen Baer, Arvada · Leslie Hollis, Morrison · Jeffery Fugita, Westminster · Jacqui Shumway, Denver · William Fisher, Golden · Deborah Poskie, Golden · Ryan West, Golden · Jodie Matsuo, Golden · Annette Reynolds, Wheat Ridge · Laura Hogzett, Highlands Ranch · Sara Seibert, Golden · Sharon Maxwell, Dolores · Clay Gorman, Fleming · Sara True, Lakewood · Susan Thomson, Lakewood · Ann Demers, Arvada · Emeline Dimitroff, Golden · Diana Baumgarten, Lakewood · Nancy Andersen, Denver · Ellene Duffy, Golden · Tia Greaser, Golden · Blake Peterson, Boulder · Peter Strohecker, Tabernash · Valerie Walker, Boulder · Rob Mellott, Dolores · Kristi Hargrove, Crested Butte · Tami Wozny, Longmont · Jenny Johnson, Englewood · Ellen Bywaters, Greenwood Village · Laura Mutton, Highlands Ranch · Joan Swift, Crested Butte · Beverley Ewers, Golden · Audrey Walker, Yampa · Dawn Pimmel, Highlands Ranch · Cherie Lewis, Highlands Ranch · Nadine Sinclair, Lakewood · E. Brown · Roberta Braun, Centennial · Mark Flora, Lakewood · Kirk Petersen, Crested Butte · Laurie Christensen, Centennial · Katherine Morris, Granby · Ann Ghist, Litteton · Joy Adams, Crested Butte · Nancy Bjerken, Tabernash · Stephan Hartwell, Thornton · David Purcell, Lakewood · Darnell Fine, Greenwood Village · Steve Shultz, Denver · Mandy Thomas, Commerce City · Mary McNeil Cheever, Denver · Andrea Jones, Broomfield · Raymond Springfield, Aurora · Tiffany G, Boulder · Diana Alcantara, Carbondale · Deann Anderson, Golden · Leanne Griffey, Fort Collins · Joan Canon, Grand Lake · Jennifer Hadden, Arvada · Paula Peairs, Longmont · Larry Tolle, Erie · Becky Aamot, Boulder · Stacy McGurk, Thornton · Mark Castleman, Westminster · Brady Schmidt, Henderson · Sandra Pyle, Dolores · Judy Oksner, Denver · Michele Wolf, Lakewood · Samantha Rodriguez, Longmont · Sonja Asper, Thornton · Glenn Mcglathery, Arvada · Sherri Fischer, Lakewood · Scott Brown, Golden · Adrienne Deshaies, Denver · Linda Hull, Colorado Springs · Stacey Bahr, Niwot · Anne Trifiletti, Littleton · Dawn Husher, Denver · Jeff Smith, Westminster · Tracey Ernst, Golden · Kristi Nay, Fort Collins · Kevin Larsen, Highlands Ranch · Christina Abernathy, Colorado Springs · Warren Blair, Westminster · Frank Latoria, Boulder · Wendy Johnson, Golden · Linda Chalat, Evergreen · Heather Albanesi, Monument · Rebecca Rice-Wilson, Boulder · Amy Pierre-Johnson, Golden · Marie Guldbeck, · Jane Gagliardi, Parker · Kristie Brice, · Denise Hoctor, Grand Junction · Jeri Smith, Longmont · Jeff Chapman, Arvada · Susan Geiser, Englewood · Janelle Albertson, Longmont · Rick Silverman, Greeley · Kevin Griffey, Fort Collins · Betsy Watts, Westminster · Sarah Jakel, Fort Collins · Adam Rowan, Dolores · Brooke Elder, Dolores · Lynn Jenkins-Nygren, Monument · Margaret Neeley, Lewis · Carl Kantner, Arvada · Lillian Trumble, Del Norte · Shellie Dunham, Denver · Susan Rein, Denver · Megan Rogers, Denver · Shirley JF Tourjee, Dolores · Adele Willson, Littleton · Heather Grubbs, Denver · John Johnson, Dolores · Marty Jewell · Karen Marquez, Thornton · Jay Whaley, Yampa · Carla Andersn, Yampa · Kaylynn Bryant, Phippsburg · Brandi Dudley, Phippsburg · Bernard Steinberg · Ilana Steinberg, Denver · Mark Hutton, Aurora · Erin Havel, Oak Creek · Rita Urness, · Michelin Sharp, Denver · Shanti Savage, Dolores · Melanie Vrencur · Deanna Simonsen, Steamboat Springs · Ilene Flax, Boulder · Terri Clauss, Denver · Raymond Springfield, Denver · Myrto Ashe, Boulder · Janelle Buccino · William Robinson, Arvada · Danielle Mason, Boulder · Arlene Galchinsky, Denver · Deborhah Calloway, Denver · Maureen Eldredge, Boulder · Sarah McGoey, Boulder · Marlene Wuest, Yampa · Vicki Wolf, Arvada · Roger Fairchild, Arvada · Tracy Sullivan, Arvada · Jodi Vann, Lafayette · Melissa Ford, Arvada · Kristin Parsons, Berthoud · Russ Smith, Berthoud · Joni Gentala, Denver · Connie Tuttle, Wheat Ridge · Sara Pike, Lyons · Angela Lortie, Boulder · Lisa Aigner, Golden · Jo Jo Charles, Longmont · Kirstine Nguyen, Lakewood · Maria Gonzalez, Longmont · Carolyn McDonald, Denver · Priscilla Crocker · Kimberly Miles, Oak Creek · Jessica Horvath, Longmont · Robert Myers, Boulder · David Mellon, Louisville · Glenda Golter, Wheat Ridge · Hannah Jannicelli, Denver · Gayle Ebel, Littleton · Diane Christiansen, Longmont · John Giardino, Arvada · Victoria Hellmer, Denver · Jennifer Bagan, Greenwood Village · Charles Cooley, Westminster · Theresa Mehringer, Centennial · Chris Beatty, Wheat Ridge · Kevin Edgar, Sanford · Bob Petterson, · Spencer Weiler, Fort Collins · Margaret Crespo, Greeley · Kathryn Whitaker, Englewood · Joseph Tort, Greeley · Kerin Raymond, Castle Rock · Brandon Tullio, Aurora · Kristen Shannon, Parker · Maria Shiling · Chrissy Everett, Castle Rock · Lorna Buckler, Franktown · Jason Herrera, Denver · Jennifer Hayes · Amy Simonoff, Castle Rock · Anthony Armenta · Amy Burkholder-Pardo, Greeley · Kristen Nein, Castle Rock · Jeanette Wygant · Mike Keppler, Longmont · Nancy Mann, Castle Rock · Clifford Brookhart, Boulder · Amber Paynter, Centennial · Ben Reisbeck, Parker · Vanessa Powers, Castle Rock · Cindy Graybeal, Littleton · Allison Watling, Castle Rock · Holly Hinesley · Martin Pearson, Commerce City · Lynn Rickman, · Kristi Montagriff, Castle Rock · Kim Edmond, Castle Rock · Natalie Berman, Castle Rock · Tammy Matier · Richard Walter, Rush · Jay McGuffin · Janet Draper, Lakewood · Robert Alfonso, Aurora · Brad Stauffer, Denver · Kevin Hahn, Fort Collins · Keppler Mike, Longmont · Jennifer Hinkley-Karnisky · Becky Stadolnik, Broomfield · Jaimee Glazebrook, Castlerock · Michael Duarte, Lone Tree · Jen Weiler, Fort Collins · Rhanda Raasch, Castle Rock · Jathan Paris · Katrina Craig, Denver · Katherine Brom, Sterling · Ken Karnsky, Arvada · Kristen Vitale · Chris Duarte, Littelton · Diane Kirkpatrick, Arvada · Sherice Campbell, Castle Rock · Donna Shepherd, Greenwood Village · Lisa Genke, Arvada · Daniel Smith, Denver · Jeff Casey, Greeley · Jennifer Cieslar, Arvada · Lisa Schumacher · Barbara Herman, Littleton · Doug Pfau, Meeker · Molly Tappy, Evans · Wendy Roberts, · Jason Harper, Parker · Donna Locantro, Parker · Duane Conroy, Boulder · Sean Corey · Dorothy West, Arvada · Leslie Dengler · Karen Johnson, Arvada · Dennis Reitz, Denver · Joanne O'Callaghan, Denver · Christine Tarwater, Monument · Chris Bains, Monument · Pat Bains, Monument · Denise Gardiner, Colorado Springs · Daniel Lampe, Cascade · Denise Fiedler, Monument · Jeffrey Walters, Fort Morgan · Marilyn Hughes, Longmont · Karissa Rytting, Monument · Shelly Lowry, Lumberton · Matt Denman, Denver · Lora Laustrup, Arvada · Ellen Lewis, Aurora · Barbara Hutton, Broomfield · Pamela Mckinnie, Broomfield · Christine Bopardikar, Longmont · Kimberly Kollar, Arvada · Nicolette Clark, Broomfield · Linda Silverman, Golden · Dennice Kercher, Lafayette · Lissy Garrison · Deborah Simms-Fard, Denver · Maria Moss, Denver · Catherine Colt, Colorado Springs · Teresa Campbell, Denver · Leandra Steed · Dawn Maloney, Louisville · Lana Shubat, Commerce City · James-Paul Olechowski, Denver · Glenn Gulau, Fort Collins
Other community members can join the growing list of signators at www.greatfuturescolorado.org/openletter.
ABOUT GREAT FUTURES COLORADO
The Great Futures Colorado Campaign is a coalition of community organizations formed in January 2010 to educate about and advocate for implementation of, and adequate funding for, an education system that will prepare all children for the challenges of the 21st century. Great Futures provides member organizations with educational tools and opportunities for united action toward our shared vision. For more information, visit www.greatfuturescolorado.org.
MEMBERS OF THE GREAT FUTURES COALITION
Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented, Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented, Colorado Council of Churches, Colorado School Foundations Association, Colorado PTA, Colorado Rural Schools Caucus, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Crested Butte Community School PTSA, Every Child Matters, Great Education Colorado, Gunnison Watershed School District DAAC, Justice and Peace Ministry Team – Rocky Mountain Conference United Church of Christ, Kyffin Elementary PTA, Mitchell Elementary PTA, Padres Unidos, Partnership for Families and Children, Wickerdale Walkers, and Women Informed Network.
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