i_sfinance_2018a_2018-07-31t09:08:00z1 Hearing Summary

Brett Ridgway, Chief Business Officer, El Paso County School District 49, discussed innovation ideas from the school district level. He provided a presentation handout to the committee members [Attachment B].

Mr. Ridgway provided observations regarding district equity, specifically related to the size, location, and additional challenges for schools. He discussed the impact of transportation and technology costs.  Mr. Ridgeway also spoke on the urban, suburban, and rural status of schools and the challenges associated with teacher performance.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding economies of scale. The committee members discussed the distribution of funds to address inequity in the current system.

Mr. Ridgway spoke on local contributions of school district funding. He discussed assessed value per student as the best means for district performance. In addition, Mr. Ridgway discussed mill levy overrides and the impact on the local districts.

Mr. Ridgway discussed the local contributions to school finance and the impact on district equity as it relates to needs of each school district.

Mr. Ridgway discussed an incentivized matching program to make local overrides more attractive local voters, in order to level the equity between districts. He answered questions from the committee regarding local control issues.

Committee discussion ensued regarding an incentive program and the current state share to school districts.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding the current state requirements regarding equity. Committee members continued to discuss inequity in the current school finance system.

Mr. Ridgway answered questions from the committee regarding residential assessments versus agricultural and commercial property assessments. He continued to discuss the proposed override incentive program.

Committee discussion ensude.

The committee discussed the proposed override incentive program in Mr. Ridgway's presentation. Mr. Ridgeway answered questions from the committee regarding assistance to school districts and the necessary local contribution.

The committee asked questions concerning school districts that have already applied mill levy overrides. Mr. Ridgway argued that district equity creates student equity.

Committee members asked questions concerning school districts that have already applied mill levy overrides.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.