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Steamboat Springs School District Board of Education Unanimously Passes Resolution Opposing Amendment 80 “Constitutional Right to School Choice”

Steamboat Springs School District Board of Education Unanimously Passes Resolution Opposing Amendment 80 “Constitutional Right to School Choice”

 

Steamboat Springs, CO — The Steamboat Springs School District (SSSD) Board of Education has unanimously passed a resolution  opposing Amendment 80, “Constitutional Right to School Choice,” that would guarantee access to school choice in the Colorado constitution. The amendment also names private schools and “future innovations in education” as options guaranteed by the Constitution. 

At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Celine Wicks raised the issue that this amendment could take critical funding away from public schools, further exacerbating challenges in rural districts while subsidizing private schools on the Front Range. Dr. Wicks noted that this amendment is unnecessary as we have had open enrollment laws in Colorado for 30 years. 

Several vital organizations oppose the amendment, including the Colorado Education Association, ACLU of Colorado, Colorado Association of School Executives, and more. 

Leah Helme, a board member, highlighted examples from other states that have enacted similar bills, pointing out the significant financial losses those states experienced. Board of Education Secretary Lara Craig and Board of Education President Katy Lee also stressed that private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools. This amendment would allow for the use of public funds for private interests. 

Chresta Brinkman, Board of Education Vice President, expressed that this amendment may seem like a positive step. Still, it could be a step backward for public schools in Colorado that already struggle to secure adequate funding for public education.  

The board's resolution reflects a unified stance on protecting public school funding and ensuring that resources remain within the public education system to benefit all students.

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Media contact:
Laura Milius, Director of Communications
lmilius@ssk12.org