The Weld Re-8 School District board of education waded into the November ballots during a virtual meeting Sept. 24.
The board took stands on a pair of ballot questions. It opposes Proposition 116. If passed in November, the state’s flat tax rate would decrease by 0,08 of a percent to 4.55 percent. The vote was 5-1.
“Even though a rate of 4.3 percent would represent a small savings to families, this will help our Colorado Families by putting more money directly in the pockets of the people, giving families more options on how to spend their money,” said board member Cody LeBlanc, the only one to support the measure.
The board also is on record opposing Proposition 117. If this passes, it would require voter approval of what the ballot language calls “certain new enterprises” exempt from the TaxPayers Bill of Rights. The vote was 5-1 as well.
LeBlanc’s Facebook page had a reminder that under the terms of TABOR, voters have to approve all taxes, no matter the size.
“Proposition 117 will ensure transparency,” he said on his Facebook page.
“I do appreciate that information,” said board member Kehle Griego. “As a school board, we’re not always going to agree with what CASB says. I am supporting the resolution CASB set forth.”
The board also discussed the mill-levy override question that’s on the ballot. Fort Lupton Education Association President Kim Flanagan announced the teachers’ support for that ballot question. If approved, the override, which is worth $1.4 million, would extend 10 years and would not result in an increase in taxes, according to Superintendent Alan Kaylor.
President Susan K. Browne said forming a committee to support the override question was up to the community.
“With so many items on the ballot, the less you say about it the better,” she told the board.
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In other business, Kaylor presented a plaque – virtually – to Fort Lupton High School Principal John Biner. FLHS’ class of 2020 received the Fort Lupton Chamber of Commerce’s pivot and rise award after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the last semester of the class’ senior year.
”The end of the year was a little interesting,” Biner said. “The fact the chamber was nice enough to recognize that was great. It was an awesome recognition.”