09/02/2026
I have asked my colleagues on the Aurora Public School Board to formally endorse Proposition NN. This proposition, if passed, has the potential to add $5,457,082 in 2027 and $27,040,840 in 2030 to the Aurora Public School’s general fund. These are funds that we could use to:
- Close the per-pupil funding gap,
- Raise average teacher and staff pay to a competitive level,
- Recruit and retain high-quality educators in every Colorado classroom,
- And support safe, well-equipped learning environments.
I collaborated with community partners, submitted draft resolution language for consideration, and provided it to my colleagues for feedback. Unfortunately, President Duncan will not put the Resolution on the agenda without three more Board Members supporting this effort.
Director Reinhard has committed to supporting this effort. I am meeting with Director Keke about it today as well. Along with confirming Director Keke’s support, I still need one more Board Member to support this effort.
This is where I need YOUR help.
1) Do your research and determine if more funding for education is something you support (https://www.yesforcoloradokids.com or https://coloradoea.org/yesonpropnn/).
2) Ask my colleagues to submit any feedback back to me on the Resolution language and then support adding it to a future Agenda (before November — which only gives us September & October to consider this).
3) Voice your support at our next APS Meeting:
Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 15, at 6:00 PM at the PLCC (15771 E Centretech Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80011). Public who wish to speak need to be there early to sign up to speak and public comment is at the beginning of the agenda.
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Below is the draft Resolution language I provided to my colleagues:
RESOLUTION FOR THE SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION NN TO INCREASE K-12 FUNDING AND ENHANCE EDUCATOR SALARIES.
A RESOLUTION OF THE AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPPORTING PROPOSITION NN ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT TO INCREASE K–12 FUNDING AND ENHANCE EDUCATOR SALARIES
WHEREAS, Colorado ranks nationally below average in per-pupil funding; in 2024–25, the state funds school districts at an average rate of $11,452 per student, As of 2023, Colorado school districts spent an average of $1,668 less per pupil than the national average;
WHEREAS, Colorado's average starting teacher salary is $42,421, 41st in the nation;
WHEREAS, Aurora Public Schools (APS) values its workforce and actively counters this trend by compensating educators with an average salary of $81,000;
WHEREAS, teachers make 62 cents for every dollar, compared to other college-educated professionals with similar experience,
WHEREAS, educational support professionals (paraprofessionals, custodians, etc.) average just $35,249 in earnings, despite facing increasing responsibilities;
WHEREAS, inadequate school funding leads to teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating facilities; research suggests Colorado will need an additional $4 billion to reach per-pupil funding adequacy levels; and local district budgets remain strained despite occasional bond and mill-levy efforts;
WHEREAS, a statewide ballot measure in November 2026 would enable a sustainable and equitable long-term funding solution, helping to:
Close the per-pupil funding gap,
Raise average teacher and staff pay to a competitive level,
Recruit and retain high-quality educators in every Colorado classroom,
And increase access to career and technical courses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Board of Education of Aurora Public School Board of Education formally endorses Proposition NN to increase funding for Colorado K–12 education and substantially raise educator and staff salaries.
The Board commits to ongoing public engagement—town halls, materials, multilingual outreach—to educate voters in Aurora Public Schools about the purpose, benefits, costs, and accountability of the initiative.
Board members and district leadership are authorized to publicly speak, provide testimony, and advocate in support of the ballot initiative.
Vote Yes on Prop NN to strengthen Colorado’s public schools without raising taxes. Prop NN allows the state to use money it already collects to invest in K-12 education, with an independent public audit so Coloradans can see exactly how new dollars are spent each year. By voting yes, we can help k...
