District legal counsel briefs board on school finance bill and several state and federal policy threats

Greeley-Evans School District 6 received a legislative briefing Monday that emphasized a promising but gradual school finance bill and several pending state and federal measures that could affect district operations and funding.

"This really is a positive step forward," Nate Fall, the district’s in‑house legal counsel, said of House Bill 25‑1320, the school finance bill under consideration. He told the board the House Education Committee passed it unanimously and that the bill would phase in elements of last year’s school finance changes over a longer timetable so districts can adjust.

Why it matters: The bill would change how per‑pupil funding and supplemental (at‑risk) aid are phased in statewide, with an increase of roughly $195 per pupil in the near term as the legislature smooths implementation. Fall said the bill aims to protect some districts through revenue‑averaging provisions and a longer phase‑in because the state cannot immediately fund full implementation.

Federal guidance and Title VI certification: Fall reviewed an April 3 letter from the U.S. Department of Education asking state and local officials to certify compliance with Title VI — the federal civil‑rights law prohibiting discrimination based on race or national origin — partly by confirming the absence of certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. "They are threatening to pull Title I funding if a state does not follow the federal government's interpretation of Title VI," Fall said, summarizing the department’s letter and the potential risk to federal grants.

Fall said Colorado Commissioner of Education Susana Cordova had stated the state would not collect local signatures on the federal certification and raised concerns the federal guidance had not gone through formal notice‑and‑comment rulemaking. Fall warned the board that enforcement and litigation could unfold for years and that the district was monitoring developments.

Other bills under review: Fall outlined multiple proposed Colorado bills the district is watching or will monitor:

- A communication‑devices bill (cell‑phone policy) that passed the Senate and is headed to the governor; Fall said the district will be able to comply with the law when signed. - Senate Bill 25‑284, which would require districts to allow "youth service organizations" to present on campuses during school hours; Fall and staff expressed concerns about instructional time lost and administrative burden; supporters identified include Scouting Colorado and some youth organizations, while several education associations oppose it. - Senate Bill 25‑276, which would limit what student and family information can be released to federal immigration authorities and create civil penalties for intentional disclosures; Fall said the bill could create personal liability and steep fines — a point that raised concern among board members and staff; no district‑wide requests for student immigration information had been received. - Senate Bill 25‑153, which would require school‑by‑school financial reporting and detailed disclosure of private revenue sources; Fall said this would impose additional work on the finance office and recommended monitoring or opposing.

Board response and next steps: Board members asked clarifying questions about how state certification decisions affect district receipt of federal funds and whether specific schools had experienced requests from immigration authorities; Fall said he had not heard such requests. Several directors said they favored monitoring certain bills and working with district lobbyists on amendments where appropriate.

Fall advised that the district would continue to monitor both state and federal developments and return to the board for input if actions or formal positions were necessary. "If there's a threat to cut Title I funding, we're going to — and we will come to our Board of Education for input on that," he said.

Ending: The district will circulate legislative updates to the board as appropriations committees and the governor act, and staff said they will include fiscal notes and summaries in forthcoming board packets.