frequently asked questions about 5b

A mill levy override (MLO) is an increase of the previous voter-approved tax rate (mill levy). Due to the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), taxing districts in Colorado are required to ask voters about any increases that affect property taxes. A MLO is a voter-approved property tax that provides funds for the school district’s general fund. These funds go to our local schools and not the state. A mill levy override can be used for operational expenses, such as people, programs and services.

In Colorado, MLOs were created as an option to ask voters to approve additional dollars outside of what was provided by the state. Nowadays, it has become the norm, not the exception, for local school districts to go out to voters to approve an MLO for ongoing operating expenses such as salaries, safety and security, and instructional programming.

Voting yes on 5B will support recruiting and retaining teachers and staff, enhanced school safety and security, additional mental health support for students, and expanding programs such as career and technical education and more STEM classes which leads our students to successful careers.

There are a number of benefits to investing in public education. Adams 12 Five Star Schools is one of the largest employers in Adams and Broomfield counties with nearly 5,000 full- and part-time teachers, principals, office staff, counselors, nurses, custodians, and more contributing to the economy.

Additionally, providing a high-quality education prepares students to contribute to the workforce and their communities. The district offers 25 pathways through FutureForward that help students explore career interests and obtain training and certifications to give them a head start when they leave high school. In fact, 97% of graduating Career and Technical Education (CTE) students found success within a year following their high school graduation — be it college, military or career. Their success boosts the economy and our local quality of life.

Finally, a high-quality school district with a strong positive reputation supports real estate property values within the counties it serves. Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves students in both Adams and Broomfield counties making its residential property reach quite broad with attractive housing options and residential neighborhoods in both counties.

Through the 2024 Bond, voters approved adding and renovating spaces for new career and technical education programming at the middle and high school level to meet student and industry demand, but the district lacks funding for staffing and programming to add classes to these new and renovated spaces. Bonds and mill levy overrides fund different parts of a school district. Bonds can only be used for capital needs such as major repairs/renovations, construction of new schools or expansions to existing schools, vehicles (including school buses), and infrastructure. The money generated from selling bonds can only be used for one-time expenses.

Mill Levy Overrides (MLOs) can be used for ongoing operating expenses such as salaries and benefits, instructional programming, and staff for safety and security.

The process for assessing property taxes is established by the state of Colorado. County assessors who are mandated to reappraise all properties every other year. 2023 was an appraisal year and any adjustments in assessed value took effect in the 2024 tax year. The property assessment process is the basis for generating property tax revenues that pay for schools, roads, fire protection, police protection, and other local services. All of the revenue generated by property taxes stays within the county. Property taxes do not support any state services.

If approved by voters, the $39.42 million mill levy override would cost a homeowner an estimated $5 per month for every $100,000 of home value. As an example, the average home value within our district boundaries is $661,000 and if 5B is approved by voters, this homeowner would pay an additional $34 per month in property taxes based on the assessed value as of December 2024.

The 2025 levy would be an addition to our existing override levies. None of our past overrides have a sunset or expiration date. Four of those past overrides (1991, 2000, 2004, and 2008) were for fixed dollar amounts, and so the amount is not increased for inflation. As a result, the amount of mills needed to generate the funding for older overrides (e.g., the $9.9 million override passed in 2008) declines over time as property values within the District increase. The 2018 override increases each year by the rate of inflation in the Denver/Boulder/Lakewood consumer price index. It is typically a lower number than one would expect given increases in their annual expenses. The 2024 inflation rate was 2.3 percent.

In 2012, Colorado voters approved the legal sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older with a portion of the tax revenue going to education. The amount of tax revenue that comes from marijuana sales is minimal – around 1% of the state’s total education budget – and is directed to a variety of programs, including school construction, bullying prevention, and behavioral health.

The first $40 million generated each fiscal year from retail marijuana excise tax goes to the Colorado Capital Construction Assistance Fund. For perspective, the Colorado Department of Education estimates $20 billion in capital construction needs in the nearly 2,000 Colorado public schools. That $40 million each year addresses .2% of the estimated need statewide.

The limited amount of money from the state is awarded through the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant program which prioritizes health, safety and security issues such as asbestos removal, new roofs, building code violations, and poor indoor quality. BEST grants are competitive and often must be supplemented with local district matching funds. Source: Colorado Department of Education

Yes, Adams 12 is required by the state to provide visibility and transparency of its finances and financial reporting for the public. The district’s budget, financial records, and reporting are posted on the district’s website with full transparency.

A proportionate share of MLO funds will be provided to all four District-authorized charter schools. Charter schools determine how they will invest their funds. Please connect with the charter schools directly for their potential investments. (~3.6 million)

• Due to the lack of adequate funding, Adams 12 Five Star Schools cut $27.5 million for the 2025-26 school year, including about 150 jobs, leading to larger class sizes and fewer class offerings or electives for students to choose from. A YES vote does not mean that every cut job or funding reduction will be restored. A YES on 5B vote will provide funds for investments in critical areas such as improving teacher and staff salaries, increasing academic programming especially in career and technical education and STEM classes across all levels, increasing security staffing levels and providing additional mental health supports for students, and expanding academic supports for students in need.
  

• Our students thrive when they’re learning from highly-effective teachers, but Adams 12 Five Star Schools ranks closer to the bottom (10 out of 15) in average teacher salaries compared to nearby districts, putting Adams 12 at a competitive disadvantage in attracting and keeping top-tier staff.
  

• 97 percent of graduating career and technical education students immediately enter college, the military or the workforce, having a positive impact on our economy and quality of life; and the district needs additional qualified staff to provide students more hands-on learning experiences in high-demand careers.
  

• School safety and security are everyone’s top priority. Adams 12 Five Star Schools has one of the smallest security staffs among nearby districts. We need additional investment to expand our safety and security staff in specific areas and improve and maintain support for all of our schools.