Adams 12 superintendent asks Broomfield residents to support $39.42M annual mill‑levy override; council directs staff to draft supportive resolution

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Superintendent Chris Kadowski and Board President Lori Goldstein told Broomfield City Council that the district will ask voters this year for a $39,420,000 per‑year mill‑levy override to boost operating revenue and address staffing, career‑technical education (CTE) and student mental‑health needs.

"We placed a measure last November on the ballot that included two different proposals," Superintendent Chris Kadowski said in his slide presentation. He said the new proposal asks for $39,420,000 annually and that the district has fallen to 14th of 15 metro Denver area districts in supplemental funding. "We'd invest the money in three main areas: competitive staff compensation, expanded CTE and hands‑on programs, and safety and mental‑health supports," Kadowski said.

Kadowski outlined recent district data and fiscal strain: the district reported a 2024 four‑year graduation rate of 87.3 percent, a significant rise from 61.7 percent a decade earlier; robust AP and industry‑credential results; but also a $27.5 million cut this spring that eliminated roughly 150 positions. He told council the district currently has about 120 support‑staff vacancies and roughly 20 teacher vacancies that may remain unfilled this year.

Kadowski and Goldstein also provided cost estimates for residents. Using the district's median home value of roughly $661,000, Kadowski said the override would raise property taxes by approximately $34 per month for the average home in the district. He acknowledged that reaching the regional midpoint in compensation would require an even larger ask — roughly $50,000,000 per year — and said the district intentionally proposed a smaller amount.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the levy, district finances and the impact on students. Council member Cohen asked Kadowski to explain the term "mill override" for everyday voters; Kadowski summarized the state's school finance framework and said local overrides are a common tool districts use to supplement state funding. Council member Henkel asked about supports for students who are unhoused; Kadowski said the district dedicates funds and staff to those students and would not reduce those services.

After public comment — several residents who identified themselves as Broomfield residents expressed support — Council member Marsh Holshon asked whether the council would direct staff to prepare a formal expression of support. No objections were raised. Mayor Castro then asked staff to work with the district; later, Council asked staff (City Manager and staff referenced) to draft a resolution of support for the mill‑levy override.

Action: Council directed staff to prepare a resolution supporting the Adams 12 mill‑levy override and to work with the district on wording and coordination. Staff will bring a draft resolution back to council per the council's direction.

What the measure would fund: Kadowski described three broad spending categories the district prioritized in outreach and planning — roughly $25 million allocated to compensation improvements, funding for more CTE capacity and middle‑school hands‑on programming, and expanded school safety and mental‑health staffing — and emphasized the district's comparisons with neighboring districts that have higher override funding levels.

No formal council vote was taken to endorse the measure at this meeting; the council instead directed staff to prepare a resolution of support to be drafted for future consideration. Council members and staff said they would work with the district on timing and wording.