While chromebooks are being collected, graduation commencements are pomp and circumstance, and end of year lessons become reflective, the flame is still being fanned for public education.
Some Colorado school boards are still meeting this June and this will be the final opportunity to be heard before plans to enjoy the summer take over daily teacher plans.
Across the state, districts continue to face several challenges impacting their school budget. There is an elementary level of consensus that school board members should be responsive to the voices of the community who voted them into their positions.
Between organizations (like Great Education Colorado, Colorado PTA, or Colorado Educators Association), coalitions (including Protect Colorado’s Future or Public School Strong Colorado, and individuals (our Advocates Network Action Ambassadors), there continue to be intentional efforts pouring into the public education community to gain support for the upcoming November ballot and election.a
One effort we are currently pushing for the next two weeks is to get signatures to Colorado school boards to encourage them to pass a resolution in support of the graduated income tax ballot measure, also known as Initiative 195 or Protect Colorado’s Future. In one week you could help Greeley and other districts pass the resolution. Congratulations to Crowley, for passing the resolution this week!
Not in Greeley? School Board sessions done until Fall? No problem, in the meantime, take a moment to learn more about the impact and public education funding created by a graduated income tax (not to mention–money staying with the working families needing every dollar even more now).
Below are a few reasons why we believe, wholeheartedly, that our school boards are a vital part of community and education funding. Of course, we also have recommendations and guides to support your own advocacy when engaging with school board members.
1. To Understand How Funding Decisions Impact Local Students
School board meetings provide a direct window into the real challenges and priorities facing local schools. Community members can learn about:
- Teacher shortages
- Budget constraints
- Student support services
- School safety and mental health needs
- Academic and extracurricular programming
These conversations help connect statewide funding discussions to what students and educators experience every day in classrooms.
2. To Make Your Voice Part of the Conversation
School boards make decisions that affect students, families, educators, and the broader community. Attending meetings allows residents to:
- Share public comment
- Ask questions
- Show support for educators and students
- Advocate for fully funded schools
- Encourage districts to pass resolutions supporting sustainable education funding
Even simply showing up demonstrates that the community is paying attention and values public education.
3. To Help Build Community Support for Colorado Schools
School board meetings are often where important community conversations begin. Attending helps people:
- Stay informed about district priorities
- Connect with other advocates and families
- Learn how statewide efforts like Prop NN and Protect Colorado’s Future could impact local schools
- Bring information back to neighbors, workplaces, and community groups
Strong public schools depend on informed and engaged communities — and school board meetings are one of the most direct ways to participate in shaping the future of education locally.
Let’s keep public education funding as a top priority, even as we wipe the boards one last time. Protect Colorado’s Future has fact sheets and presentations that illustrate the incredible opportunity that the graduated income tax could create for each school district across the state – if we are willing to fight for it, together. While states are being the
As the great singer and entertainer sang with his brothers and band, “A, B, C; Easy as 1, 2, 3!” ; Just know that, if we cut the ropes with Prop NN and pass the graduated income tax at the ballot, public education funding can begin to address the alphabet of issues remaining for Colorado students. Taking the first step is easy, sign or create a petition like this one–and help us get it done.