The University of Colorado at Boulder will host a public panel discussion on Monday, Oct. 16, about Amendment 39 and Referendum J, two November ballot initiatives that could change how Colorado funds public schools.
Co-sponsored by the Education and Public Interest Center in CU-Boulder's School of Education and the Colorado Children's Campaign, the panel discussion will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Old Main Chapel on the Boulder campus.
Both measures would direct all school districts in the state to spend 65 percent of their operating expenses on classroom instruction and services that directly affect student achievement, according to Kevin Welner, an associate professor in the School of Education and moderator of the panel discussion. However, the measures have different definitions of which operating expenses are included and excluded from the 65 percent, he said.
"There is significant debate about the potential impact of these initiatives on district programs and services, and this is an opportunity to hear from both opponents and proponents of the measures," Welner said.
Panelists at the forum will include Frank Waterous of the Bell Policy Center, Tony Salazar of the Colorado Education Association, state Rep. Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, and Alex Medler of Colorado Children's Campaign.
For more information call (303) 492-8370.
