Updated 3:15 p.m. – A slowly improving economy has sparked growth in state revenues since the last official forecasts three months ago, according to new projections issued this afternoon.
The Office of State Planning and Budgeting calculated revenues for 2012-13 will be up to $164.5 million higher that previously projected. Legislative economists calculated $132 million in growth.
In a statement, Gov. John Hickenlooper said, “We look forward to working with the Joint Budget Committee to proportionally restore some of the difficult cuts we already proposed in the budget. That means taking care of our state’s neediest seniors, supporting local governments and doing all we can to fund K-12 and higher education to their fullest potential.”
Henry Sobanet, Hickenlooper’s budget director, told reporters after a legislative briefing that there’s really about $149 million that could be used to reduce about $188 million in total proposed cuts to K-12, higher education, grants to local government and some senior programs.
So, Sobanet said, about 80 percent of the proposed cuts could be rolled back, depending on what the legislature decides.
The administration’s existing budget plan calls for about $48 million in K-12 cuts and $30 million in higher education reductions.
The governor is sticking with his proposal to not restore a $100 million senior citizen property tax break. Instead he wants to target relief to low-income seniors.
House Republicans have been pressing to restore the so-called homestead exemption, so the administration and lawmakers will have to reach compromise on that issue before the 2012-13 budget is passed.
What’s on tap:
TODAY:
From Schoolhouse to Courthouse: Education and the Courts, part of CU-Denver’s Center for Education Policy Analysis series, is an hour-long talk beginning at 11:45 a.m. at 1380 Lawrence St. Joshua Dunn, an associate professor at CU-Colorado Springs and a regular contributor to Education Next, will provide an overview of the relationship between courts and education with a focus on school finance litigation.
The Colorado School Finance Partnership and the Colorado Department of Education are sponsoring a panel discussion on school funding options at 6 p.m. Monday at The University Club, 1673 Sherman St. in Denver. Panelists include national experts, such as Eric Hanushek of Stanford and Marguerite Roza of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, and state figures such as Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver.
TUESDAY
The Boulder Valley school board has a special meeting at 5 p.m. to review data as part of a goal-setting process. The session is at 6500 Arapahoe in Boulder. Agenda
The Douglas County school board has a 5 p.m. meeting scheduled at 620 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock, with the public portion beginning at 7 p.m. The agenda includes a discussion of Monday’s state revenue forecast, which may impact cuts at high schools, and a not-yet-filed resolution on open negotiations between the board and the teachers union. Previous story on public contract talks.
The Aurora school board has a meeting scheduled at 6 p.m. at 1085 Peoria St. The agenda includes an update on the 2012-13 budget, results of a staff climate survey and a resolution in support of Senate Bill 12-015, which would create a separate category of tuition for undocumented students. More on Senate Bill 12-015.
WEDNESDAY
The Adams 12-Five Star school board has a 7 p.m. meeting scheduled at 1500 E. 128th Avenue, Thornton. Agenda
FRIDAY
Jeffco school board members meet at 8:30 a.m. for a daylong work session to discuss governance principles, student achievement and monitoring of district work. This is the board’s fifth session monitored by facilitator Jim Weigel. Agenda
Good reads from elsewhere:
Race and teaching: Today’s Denver Post has an article on the continuing concerns of African-American teachers in Denver Public Schools. EdNews took a closer look at this issue in May and found it’s a concern across the state.
Teachers skeptical: An online survey of 10,000 U.S. teachers has found that only 16 percent believe linking student test performance to teacher pay is “absolutely essential” or “very important” in retaining good teachers. The poll was conducted by education publisher Scholastic and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. USA Today has the story.
Westwood, AG settle: For-profit Westwood College has reached a multi-million settlement with the attorney general’s office over consumer protection allegations involving its student loan program. The Denver Business Journal has details.
Immigration friction: The Roaring Fork school district and police within its boundaries have crafted an agreement that urges “extraordinary discretion” whenever school resource police officers deal with immigrant students and families. The issue has been a touchy one in the district, and one student group isn’t happy with the agreement. The Glenwood Springs Post Independent has the story.
Colorado and corruption: A months-long investigation into transparency in government by the Center for Public Integrity, Public Radio International and Global Integrity finds not a single state earning an A and only 5 states were given B’s. Colorado ranked 33rd among the 50 states, with a D+ letter grade. Read more about the investigation in this news release and find out why Colorado received such a low score.
The EdNews’ Churn is a daily roundup of briefs, notes and meetings in the world of Colorado education. To submit an item for consideration in this listing, please email us at EdNews@EdNewsColorado.org.