I am grateful to live in a community that values families and supports children. We have a wonderful park system, a diverse offering of recreation programs and a pool for our kids to learn to swim.
A lot of this is paid for with your tax dollars, and it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated!
I’d like to ask you to consider opening your heart, your mind and, yes, your wallet to increase funding for the school district. I am concerned about our children’s education.
Durango 9-R has sent kids to top-notch universities, and they’ve been successful.
Can we continue that tradition when we are losing programs, increasing class size and cutting curriculum and technology?
According to Great Education Colorado, per-pupil funding in Colorado is $2,704 less than the national average.
If we want a school system we can be proud of and that will prepare our kids for the future, we have to be a community that is willing to fund it.
The 3A mill levy override is on the ballot this fall. It would raise over $1.7 million in the first year for the school district and raise your property taxes by approximately $45 per year if your home is valued at $500,000.
Every penny raised by the mill levy override would remain here in Durango and under local control. The money would be spent to restore lost programs and classes, to develop new curriculum, to restore adequate staffing and supplies and to restore a salary scale capable of attracting and retaining quality staff.
As a parent of two kids in elementary school, this issue affects me personally. However, I am willing to bet it affects a lot of you as well, whether you are parents, grandparents, employees of the school district or community members who care about education.
Please continue your legacy of support for Durango’s kids and vote yes on 3A.
For more information about the mill levy override, visit DurangoSchools3A.com.
Marie Voss-Patterson
Durango
