Dear Douglas County Voters,

Your help is needed on August 25th!

Thanks to you, DCSD remains the top-performing school district in the Denver metro area—an achievement that benefits every student, family, homeowner, and employer in our community.

Your trust in DCSD by approving previous funding measures has delivered measurable results:

• Lowest staff turnover and highest graduation rates in the Denver metro region
• Dozens of awards for student achievement—including the top scoring school district in English language arts and mathematics
• Lower school district tax rates compared to neighboring districts
• Central administration costs below the statewide average

The 2023 Mill Levy Override helped DCSD improve teacher retention, achieve the lowest employee turnover among metro-area school districts, strengthen school security, and raise student achievement.

But important needs remain.

DCSD’s starting teacher salary is still 7% below the Denver-area average. DCSD receives approximately $2,000 less per student, per year than Cherry Creek and Littleton schools (this equates to a $130 million gap annually). The proposed $54 million MLO would address this challenge and more by:

• Improving teacher and staff compensation
• Increasing and maintaining school security
• Addressing high student demand for Career and Technical Education
• Restoring student opportunities such as elementary instrumental music

The estimated residential cost is $33.70 annually—or about $2.81 per month—for every $100,000 in home value.

Please come show your support for this year’s MLO!

The Douglas County Schools Board of Education will convene to decide whether to place the MLO on the November ballot during their meeting on Tuesday, August 25th at 5pm. The Board will hold a public hearing before voting, and it is essential that parents and involved citizens attend and participate during the public comment portion of the agenda. Sign up to speak in person or via Zoom here.

If you cannot attend, please send an email with a note of support to the Board:

• Clark Callahan - ccallahan3@dcsdk12.org
• Kelly Denzler - kdenzler1@dcsdk12.org
• Brad Geiger - bgeiger1@dcsdk12.org
• Susan Meek - smeek@dcsdk12.org
• Kyrzia Parker - kparker7@dcsdk12.org
• Tony Ryan - tryan2@dcsdk12.org
• Valerie Thompson - vthompson1@dcsdk12.org

Once the measure is referred, the District will hand the baton to Invest in DCSD. The campaign will have just 10 short weeks to recruit the volunteers and raise the necessary funds to gain voter approval. (This year ballots start going in the mail on October 9th, about a week earlier than previous years.)

Excellent schools, high-achieving students, exceptional teachers and principals, and strong property values are all part of what makes Douglas County such a desirable place to live. Please stand with Invest in DCSD on August 25 and help protect—and build upon—the progress our community has worked so diligently to achieve.

Sincerely,

Invest in DCSD Campaign Committee