Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board of Education places MLO renewal on Nov. Ballot
On Monday, August 22, the District 6 Board of Education voted 5-2 to approve ballot language for this November that would renew the 2017 Mill Levy Override, scheduled to sunset in 2023.
On Monday, August 22, the District 6 Board of Education voted 5-2 to approve ballot language for this November that would renew the 2017 Mill Levy Override, scheduled to sunset in 2023. The issue will ask voters in District 6 to renew the 10 mills the district is currently collecting on residential and commercial properties, and collect that tax until 2033. Board members Rob Norwood and Taylor Sullivan cast the dissenting votes.
This is NOT a tax increase but a continuation of the existing tax. The Mill Levy Override approved in 2017 is an important local funding source for District 6. Based on property values, this MLO provides about $20 million in funding annually.
Here are just a few of the items funded through the MLO since 2017:
• New curriculum, including text books and digital content in ALL content areas K-12
• Chromebooks for every student in District 6
• Security cameras at middle and high schools
• New school buses and work vehicles
• Salary increases for hourly employees
• Roof replacements and repairs
• Concurrent enrollment for more than 1,000 students annually at Aims Community College and UNC
• Student fees for IB and AP exams
• Industry certificates for students
• After school and summer school programs
• AVID in elementary and K-8 schools
• Document cameras, interactive projectors and viewboards for classrooms
If approved in November, the MLO will continue to pay for many of these items, as well as continue funding for additional counselors, social workers and attendance advocates currently funded through federal COVID relief dollars, which expire next year.
A two-sided informational flyer on the MLO Renewal, including pros and cons, was distributed to staff and employees of District 6.
Under the Fair Campaign Practices Act, District 6 employees can provide factual information about the MLO during work hours, but cannot advocate for or against the measure during the work day. After hours, employees can engage in advocacy around the campaign, but cannot use any District 6 resources, such as a district-owned computer or vehicle.
The Growing Great Schools Campaign Committee will lead the effort to gain approval for the MLO renewal.
