Mill Levy Override

The 2003 and 2020 MLOs represented a significant investment from our community in the success of students and staff across 5J. Since its approval, these funds have allowed the district to respond dynamically to changing needs each year. MLO funding has supported additional staffing for safety and security, expanded mental health services for students, strengthened our career and college programming across our schools, and provided flexibility to address other operational needs, including maintaining a safe and reliable transportation fleet. While the current MLO does not expire until 2030, waiting until that date to address the future of this funding source would severely limit our ability to plan responsibly and sustainably. The district's budget is approximately $50 million annually, and the $4 million generated through the MLO represents nearly 8% of our budget. As we step towards the 2030 expiration date, the district will need to activate contingency plans that could impact both staff and students. These impacts may include not having competitive compensation for staff, need to make reductions in staffing, possible increases in class sizes, and decreased opportunities for students. Planning ahead allows us to be transparent, proactive, and thoughtful in preparing for the future.

How are schools funded? Public School Finance Act

What is a Mill Levy Override (MLO)? A mill levy override is a voter-approved increase in property taxes that provides additional money for operating expenses such as teacher salaries, instructional materials or programming, and technology that would otherwise be cut due to state funding shortfalls. Unlike a bond, an MLO cannot be used for construction projects. MLOs provide additional operational funding when state funding is insufficient, ensuring the quality of education and school operations. These are local tax dollars that stay local.

What is a Bond? A bond is a voter-approved way for a school district to borrow money to pay for big building projects like constructing or renovating schools, upgrading safety and security systems, and improving learning spaces. A bond is similar to a mortgage for a home. It is a type of debt issued by school districts to fund educational facilities and infrastructure, repaid over time with interest, usually through property taxes. To learn more about the 2020 Bond for Weld RE-5J, visit the Community tab Facilities Enhancements page.

Chalkbeat Article, What’s a bond measure? How do mill levy overrides work? We explain.
 

The district is seeking a proactive solution to maintain funding for students, staff, and educational programs. When the current MLO expires in 2030, Weld RE-5J will lose approximately $4 million in annual revenue. Currently 84% of the district's operating budget supports staff who directly serve students, waiting until the funding ends could lead to significant budget reductions.

Asking voters to consider this measure before the current MLO expires allows the district to plan ahead, maintain stability, and minimize potential impacts on students and schools.

The existing voter-approved measures from 2003 and 2020 remain in effect according to their terms. The 2003 investment of $0.5 million is ongoing and will continue.

The 2020 investment of $4 million will expire in 2030. With a 8% reduction in funds available for staffing, 5J will need to activate contingency plans and identify efficiencies that could impact both staff and students. These impacts may include not having competitive compensation for staff, need to make reductions in staffing, possible increases in class sizes, and decreased opportunities for students. 

Weld RE-5J may ask voters to consider this measure again before the current MLO expires in 2030. If it is not approved by that time, Weld RE-5J would likely need to seek a new MLO, which could be structured differently and may have different impacts on taxpayers.

Comparing 2018 to 2026, student enrollment has grown by 31.4%. 

Weld RE-5J Enrollment Growth (2018-2026)

The number of teachers (FTE) has increased from 2020 by almost 54%. In 2020, the starting salary for a teacher was $39,857. After intentional decisions to retain and attract high quality staff, 5J invested in competitive compensation for staff. By 2026, the starting salary increased by almost 29% to $51,258. Costs of benefits, insurance, and materials have also increased.

The fixed $4.5 million MLO investment continues to contribute less as the overall expenses for our school district increases.

Weld RE-5J is generally competitive with surrounding Northern Colorado districts, although some neighboring districts currently offer higher starting salaries for new teachers.

For the 2025-26 school year, Weld RE-5J's teacher salary schedule starts at approximately $50,000 for a teacher with a bachelor's degree, placing it above some districts historically, but below several larger Front Range districts.

Growth does bring additional students, and student enrollment is one factor in school funding. However, enrollment growth also creates new costs that often arrive just as quickly, or faster, than the revenue associated with new students. Colorado's school funding formula provides funding based on student counts and other factors, but districts must immediately respond to growth by hiring teachers and support staff, expanding transportation, providing technology and instructional materials, and maintaining safe, effective learning environments.

In a growing district, more students often mean more classrooms, additional staff, increased operational costs, and expanded programs and services. Funding received through the state formula is designed to help support educational services, but it does not automatically cover all facility needs, infrastructure improvements, or the rising costs associated with rapid growth. Growth brings both revenue and expenses. While new students increase funding, they also increase the district's responsibility to provide high-quality educational opportunities for every child.

School Finance in Colorado

Growth is beneficial, but new homes and businesses do not instantly or fully cover the costs of educating a growing student population. The district must balance current educational needs with the pace of future revenue growth. New development is a positive sign of a healthy, growing community, and it does contribute to the local tax base over time. However, there are a few common misconceptions about how that growth translates into school funding.

First, new homes often bring new students, which increases demand for teachers, classrooms, transportation, technology, and student services. The costs associated with serving those students can begin immediately, while tax revenue from new development may take years to fully materialize.

Second, commercial projects such as Buc-ee's and other business developments contribute to the community's economy, but they do not automatically create a direct, immediate, dollar-for-dollar increase in the district's operating budget. School funding is determined through a combination of local property taxes and the state's school finance formula, which can offset changes in local revenue.

Finally, development revenue arrives over time as projects are completed, assessed, and added to the tax rolls. Meanwhile, the district must be prepared to serve students as growth occurs. This timing gap is one reason why rapidly growing districts can still face financial challenges, even in communities experiencing significant residential and commercial development.

Since 2020, the district has continuously analyzed student needs, staffing circumstances, enrollment trends, and community priorities to make informed decisions and respond dynamically to changing local conditions. Our approach has focused on aligning resources with student needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

The district also relies on input from key stakeholder groups, including the District Accountability Committee (DAC), the Long Range Task Force, and the Johnstown-Milliken Education Association (JMEA). Feedback from these groups helps inform decisions related to budgeting, staffing, facilities, programming, and long-term planning.

To operate efficiently, the district regularly evaluates staffing levels, program effectiveness, operational processes, and facility utilization. We have adjusted resources as enrollment patterns and student needs have evolved, sought operational efficiencies where possible, and prioritized investments that have the greatest impact on student learning and well-being. This ongoing, data-informed approach helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while maintaining high-quality educational opportunities for students.

Weld RE-5J will continue to add information to the Financial Transparency webpage and provide updates to our community. Formal reports will be provided to the Board of Education, Long Range Task Force, and District Accountability Committee.

Local funding measures and statewide school finance proposals generally operate through separate processes and funding sources. Local measures are designed to address district-specific needs, while statewide proposals focus on broader education funding policies that may affect schools across Colorado. The impact of any statewide funding change can vary based on the final policy adopted, how funds are allocated, and individual district circumstances.

Because statewide proposals can change over time and may be revised through legislation, ballot measures, or future rulemaking, families and community members should refer to official, nonpartisan resources for the most current information. For details about Proposition NN, visit the Colorado Blue Book, Ballotpedia, or the Colorado General Assembly materials. For information about Initiative 195 and other proposed statewide measures, refer to the Colorado Secretary of State's initiative website and related voter information resources.

As specific statewide proposals are finalized, the district will review any potential impacts and share information relevant to local schools and taxpayers.

No. Existing voter-approved measures remain in effect according to their terms:

• In 2003 and for every year thereafter, a fixed $0.5 million MLO was approved by voters.
• In 2020 for a limited 10 year period, a fixed $4 million MLO was approved by voters; this funding will expire in 2030.

Those who support the extension of the MLO generally believe the extension would help continue funding that supports high-quality educational experiences for students, including retaining and attracting excellent staff, maintaining programs and services, and providing safety and security resources that benefit student wellbeing.

Those who oppose may prefer that voters revisit the question when the current MLO expires in 2030, allowing future residents to decide whether to continue the funding. Some also have concerns about the ongoing tax impact associated with changes in property assessed values.

As with any ballot measure, voters are encouraged to review the resolution, financial information, and ballot language to determine whether the proposal aligns with their priorities for the community and its schools.

Yes. Colorado's TABOR requirements allow registered electors within the jurisdiction to submit written statements either supporting (pro) or opposing (con) a TABOR ballot issue for consideration in the official TABOR Notice. These statements are reviewed, summarized as required by law, and may be included in the voter information distributed before the election.

To participate, registered voters must submit their statement addressing the specific ballot issue to the Designated Election Official (DEO) by the published deadline. Submissions should include the voter's name, signature, and contact information for an address where the signer is registered to vote. Only statements received by the deadline and from eligible registered electors can be considered. 

The Designated Election Official for Weld RE-5J is Jessica Diagana, jessica.diagana@weldre5j.org.