September 2023

We are parent and community members of the STEM School Highlands Ranch School Accountability Committee (SAC), elected by members of our school community to provide accountability in an advisory capacity. This statement represents our position regarding the bond and mill levy override ballot initiative that the Douglas County Board of Education has placed on the ballot for the November 7, 2023, election.

In response to the current funding challenges facing the Douglas County School District, we support the $484M bond and $66M mill levy override measures on the November 2023 ballot.

As a SAC, we understand that the urgency of funding public education is critical. There are capital needs that, if not met immediately, could threaten the physical safety or interrupt the education of children in our community. DCSD currently has no dedicated funding to rectify this crisis. Furthermore, the school district wages are well below those of our neighboring districts, resulting in a loss of personnel to other districts. This is not good for our students, as the turnover and teacher shortages put undue burden on our entire system. As a charter school in the district, we rely on per pupil funding from the district for the school’s operational budget. The district has agreed to share the funding equitably across all schools in the district, including STEM School Highlands Ranch. The MLO/Bond will directly support the STEM School Highlands Ranch mission and vision.

Collectively, we believe it is time for Douglas County to unite in support of our students, staff, and community by voting YES to both 5A & 5B on the November 7, 2023 ballot.

Signed

DJ Steines, Chair, STEM School Highlands Ranch SAC