F86FEAA55D8963FF8725838B005531E8 Hearing Summary

Senator Todd invited the next presenter to the table.  Tracie Rainey, Executive Director of the Colorado School Finance Project, distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).  Ms. Rainey provided an overview of the distribution and make up of Colorado's preschool through twelfth grade students, and explained the definition of rural and small, rural school districts and their distribution around the state, the cost of living factor in the school funding formula, and the impact of the budget stabilization factor.  She discussed the rising financial cost of educating special education students, gifted and talented students, English language learners, and at-risk students.  Ms. Rainey discussed the impact of local elections in terms of mill levy overrides and bond initiatives, and how to evaluate school finance systems in terms of equity, stability, adaptability, and adequacy.

Ms. Rainey answered questions from the committee.