Kristen Wnuck – Great Ed Public Affairs Coordinator
On August 27, Great Education Colorado’s Executive Director, Lisa Weil, spoke to the Denver Public Schools Board of Education about the Get It Done! campaign. She talked about the state-commissioned adequacy studies, whose results tell us what resources our schools need so that students and teachers can meet the standards and requirements that the state has set. According to the two independent research firms, “adequate funding” would be $3.5 to $4.1 billion higher than current levels. Lisa declared that the greatest obstacle we have to fully and fairly funding our schools is learned helplessness, highlighting that the state is choosing to consistently underfund public education.
Great Education Colorado brought a Get It Done! petition signed by 78 DPS parents, grandparents, students, educators, and community members urging the Board of Education to demand legislative action toward fully and fairly funded public schools. During the meeting, the DPS Board officially passed a proclamation calling on the Colorado State Legislature to “fully commit to implementing the recommendations outlined in the two studies mandated by SB23-287, ensuring funding that aligns with these findings and provides adequate, equitable resources to support the state’s commitment to fostering competitive academic growth and achievement for all students.”
With this proclamation, the Denver School Board became one of the first districts – joining Adams 12, Boulder, JeffCo, and Steamboat Springs – to pass a statement demanding legislative action in response to the adequacy studies.
Here’s how you can help us build momentum for the Get It Done! campaign:
- Sign on to the Get It Done! campaign
- Join Public School Strong Colorado and join or create a Public School Strong group for your local school district
- Register for our monthly Advocates Network meetings
- Denver residents: Click here to tell your legislators that your local Board of Education has passed a resolution in support of fully, fairly funded schools and to request their commitment to Get It Done!