It is always in vogue to complain about taxes and growing government, but we do not have a good reason to complain about being overtaxed to support Colorado schools. According to The Business Times our state ranks 35th in the nation in per-student funding. Two independent studies commissioned by the Colorado legislature in 2023 found that Colorado schools are underfunded by $3.5 to $4.1 billion per year, or as much as $4,600 per student. Smart Asset reports that in 2025 Colorado has the third lowest property tax rate in the U.S. though we may not recognize this when this rate is applied to our high property values.

The 1982 Gallagher Amendment and the 1992 Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) have reined in the growth of taxes and government in Colorado, and this has likely been a key factor in the growth of the state’s economy and the increase in jobs and income. However, these constraints on taxes have resulted in K-12 school budgets that cannot deliver the level of education our students require to be ready for college and employment. If we continue to underfund our schools the result will be slower economic growth, fewer jobs, lower earnings, strain on social services and less income tax and sales tax revenue.

There was a report in the Colorado Sun last week about how teachers in rural Colorado can make thousands more in annual salary if they work at a school just across the border in Kansas or New Mexico. We have a similar problem in Summit County with starting salaries for licensed teachers in Summit this year at $54,000. The high cost of living in our county puts our school district at a disadvantage when trying to recruit new teachers and retain current staff when positions in the Front Range can look more attractive.

Fortunately our school district is taking proactive steps to make the most of a tight budget. Our district is in the middle of a three-year training program to help all teachers be more skillful instructors. Well-trained teachers will be better able to increase student engagement, convey key concepts and ensure progress for the entire class.

For example, last summer all teachers received three hours of training in differentiation so they can create lessons that are tailored to meet the needs of each student, thus helping the entire class see improvement. The district has also been making use of co-teaching where two teachers work as a team to better meet the diverse needs of all students, whether they are multilingual learners, average achievers or top students. There is also observation and coaching of instructors during the school year. 

There are many expenses associated with training such as time off for teachers for professional development and contracting for seminars, but the district sees this as an investment that pays off in more effective teachers and greater progress for students. Superintendent Tony Byrd emphasized that if he had additional operating funds he would put it all into training as this would benefit the most students in the short and long term.

The district is engaged in two other economical efforts to boost achievement. Summit High School has been working at reducing chronic absenteeism through outreach to families, addressing barriers to attendance and giving incentives for better attendance. Keeping students’ minds focused on their teachers instead of in The Cloud is the objective of this year’s no phone policy at the high school. I have heard there is now lively conversation in the lunchroom instead of everyone silently hunched over their phones.

In other taxation news, I feel voters were right to reject the broad and expensive $195 million school bond referendum in 2024. Should a new referendum be proposed at some point I hope it only funds the two practical investments from the previous bond: necessary maintenance and the career and technical education center. Investing in essential maintenance will extend the useful life of existing facilities, make the buildings more efficient and provide a better learning environment. The career and technical education center will give students training options in useful professions such as health sciences, entrepreneurship, engineering and skilled trades.

Alas, the Summit School District budget may get even tighter due to possible education cuts by the federal government. No matter what the school funding level may be I hope parents will recognize that our schools are limited in what they can deliver if there isn’t a good learning environment at home. Have positive conversations with your child about school, have quiet time for homework, reduce screen time, and foster a love of reading within the whole family.

Paul Olson’s column “A Friendly Conservative” publishes biweekly on Tuesdays in the Summit Daily News. Olson has lived in Breckenridge since 1995. Semiretired, he works at REI in Dillon and enjoys snowboarding, Nordic skiing and hiking. Contact him at pobreck@gmail.com.