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Superintendent: technical school-finance fixes, mill-levy planning, Thornton High land tests find asbestos; staff working with city
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff described ongoing legislative, mill-levy and site-acquisition work, said technical changes to Colorado school finance law require clarifying amendments, and reported asbestos on parcels the district is considering for a new Thornton High School site.
Superintendent Chris Gadowski told the board that district staff and finance leaders are working with state lawmakers on technical amendments to Colorado’s updated school finance law to clarify how funds are allocated to charter schools.
Gadowski said the district’s chief financial officer Gina Lanier and Director of Finance Aaron Oberg “have been devoting a lot of time and energy” to the issue and that the changes stem from moving from a decades-old school finance act to a newer framework with cross-references that still require adjustment.
The superintendent also said the district is analyzing results from a post-election Magellan survey related to a recent mill-levy override effort and that officials plan community engagement this year to design any future package for a possible November election. “The core issue… is tax sensitivity and tax concerns,” he said, summarizing the survey’s findings as presented to the board.
On facilities, Gadowski said preliminary environmental testing on parcels the district is negotiating to support a new Thornton High School campus found asbestos on some lots. He said the Thornton Economic Development Corporation currently owns some parcels of interest and the district is coordinating with city staff on remediation.
Gadowski also acknowledged extensive staffing reductions across the district, saying principals are making “tough decisions” as they finalize school-based budgets for next year and that outstanding staff members have been displaced or will lose their jobs.
Ending: District leaders said they will continue to brief the board as finance negotiations proceed at the legislature, as mill-levy planning continues, and as site remediation work with the city advances.
