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Sen. Ellen Roberts tours Dolores schools affected by her votes in Legislature

State Sen. Ellen Roberts was given a whirlwind tour of Dolores Schools last week.

Dolores Re-4 Schools Superintendent Scott Cooper said superintendents across the state are offering tours of schools to give legislators a firsthand look at the campuses that are affected by their yeas and nays at the capitol.

Rural school districts like Dolores have faced a budget crisis because of the state pulling money from Amendment 23 education funds to balance its budget. After schools sued, the Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled the Legislature is authorized to continuing tapping into the funds for other uses. The budgetary phenomenon has been dubbed by school districts as “The Negative Factor.”

To offset it, voters earlier this month passed Referendum 3A, which asked permission for the Dolores School District to continue a mill levy passed in 2008 for another eight years.

Although 3A’s passage was a huge win for the district, Cooper says it’s important to get face time in with the decision-makers.

“The more they can see what great things we’re doing with the resources we have, the more likely they are to remember us when drafting, discussion, and voting on legislation related to education,” Cooper said.

When popping into classrooms, Roberts took a few questions from curious students who were interested in what she does as a lawmaker. She fielded questions ranging from “Can I have your autograph?” to “What do you do as Senator?”

Dolores students were eager and curious to get to know their visitor.

“I hope you all study hard, and learn lots,” Roberts said.



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