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Roaring Fork board endorses Healthy School Meals measure, cites potential $150,000 shortfall if voters reject it
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Summary
The Roaring Fork School District board voted to approve a resolution supporting Proposition LL and related Healthy School Meals measures after hearing that some local schools could lose state funding and face roughly $150,000 in lost revenue for 2025–26 if voters reject the measures.
The Roaring Fork School District No. Re‑1 board on Wednesday approved a resolution endorsing Proposition LL and related Healthy School Meals measures, saying the ballot questions are needed to sustain free school meals and improve meal quality in the district.
Representatives from Hunger Free Colorado and the district’s nutrition staff presented information about the statewide program and the two ballot measures placed before voters this November. Erica Cervantes of Hunger Free Colorado told the board, “we've been able to provide 600,000 free nutritious meals to public students in Colorado every day.” District staff later shared a local impact estimate: if the measures fail, some of the district’s schools that do not qualify for CEP funding would lose state support and “represent a revenue loss of approximately 30,000 per month or 150,000 for the remainder of [the] 2025–26” school year, per the staff memo presented to the board.
The board’s discussion was broadly supportive. A motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded, and the chair described the vote as a resounding endorsement. Directors emphasized the program’s role in student learning and noted the district’s experience with increased participation and higher meal costs statewide.
District staff and Hunger Free Colorado framed the ballot measures as necessary to retain the program beyond January and to fund enhancements such as better sourcing and staff compensation. The presenters explained that TABOR refund rules require voter approval to retain program revenue and to raise additional revenue targeted to school meals.
The board’s resolution directs staff to proceed with the model language and educational materials about the measures that the district is allowed to distribute under district policy. The action was taken by voice vote; the board did not provide a roll‑call tally in the public record tonight.
Next steps: the measures will appear on the November ballot; the district indicated it will share neutral informational materials consistent with board policy unless and until the board takes additional formal positions.
