Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 will not move forward with a mill levy for November after months of talks and a reevaluation of a previous attempt.
In a letter to stakeholders Wednesday, Superintendent Lori Haukeness and board representative Jack Schuenemeyer asked for support in passing Amendment 73 in lieu of the mill levy. The amendment, formerly known as Initiative 93, is on the state ballot for November.
If passed, the amendment would provide additional funding for schools across the state supported by an increased tax on those making $150,000 or more a year. Those making below $150,000 per year would not see a difference in taxes.
Using the additional per-pupil funding, Montezuma-Cortez School District expects to see the general fund increase by over $4 million.
The district sent out a community survey in late July requesting comment on performance and confidence in the district. Survey results were not specified in the stakeholder letter, with the only possible allusion being that the board studied “a variety of data presented” when discussing the mill levy and voted against pursuing it.
A previous mill levy introduced by the board was defeated by a 10-point margin in 2017.
If passed, the amendment’s additional funding would go toward accomplishing four goals outlined in the letter: increasing teacher and staff salary, updating technology for students, improving the bus system, and adding school resource officers.
