Dear Parents,
Colorado is facing an $850 million budget shortfall, and lawmakers are working to balance the state budget. Last week, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) was presented with a proposal to cut funding for part-time programs in half, from 0.5 FTE to 0.25 FTE. The argument is that if full-time students generate 1.0 funding, part-time students should generate funding proportional to seat time.
This is not a simple math issue. A reduction to 0.25 funding would effectively close all brick-and-mortar part-time homeschool programs, including Summit Academy South.
1. Information is based on minimum hours for part-time students, which are 90 hours/semester (full-time is 360 hours). Summit Academy South students are scheduled higher than the minimum, at 104 hours, and many 9-12 students attend for 128 hours/semester, and in addition, attend the community college. Our classes need additional time to complete a year’s curriculum.
2. Class sizes are smaller than the typical school classroom. Our average class size teacher: student ratio is 1:9. As an example, seating 25 students in a one-hour/week math class would be ineffective.
3. Administrative responsibilities for students are largely the same for full or part-time students. Enrollment, medical plans, and high school advising are just a few examples.
4. Infrastructure costs are not reduced for part-time students. Textbooks, technology, rent, utilities, equipment, and the cost of maintaining a building are all paid at 100%. Safety-related facility improvements are completed at full cost.
5. Summit Academy South provides additional curriculum to parents for at-home classes. None of our classes has materials or technology fees.
6. Although we do not receive SPED funding, we are legally required to provide accommodation for students with IEPs, 504 plans, and other diagnoses. These costs are covered by our regular budget.
7. We receive no Free and Reduced Lunch, yet we provide free meals to qualifying students.
Summit Academy South graduates ¾ of our seniors with Jeffco diplomas and is one of only three Jeffco high schools with a 100% graduation rate. While some of our students become full-time students, most of our students have spent several years in our program as part-time students. Our students are successful, and we meet this goal at HALF THE COST OF REGULAR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.
The impact on Summit Academy South:
*Summit Academy South and all other part-time Brick and Mortar programs (those meeting in buildings) would close.
*SAS's 320 students, many of whom have been at Summit Academy South for many years, would lose their school.
*50 high school students would be forced to change their school plans mid-course, disrupting their high school plan.
*First round enrollment in Jeffco is closed. Our students would have virtually no choice in a school for next year. While many would continue homeschooling, continuing to homeschool high schoolers would be difficult for many of our families.
*Over 25 staff members would be unemployed.
*Summit Academy South meets the educational requirements of a variety of students. Most of our students are traditional homeschoolers; however, many have other needs, and a part-time school has been a positive option.
Brick-and-mortar part-time schools cannot operate at 0.25 funding. We need parents, students, and alumni to contact legislators immediately and respectfully urge them to oppose this proposal. Please share this information with other families in part-time programs.
It only takes one “No” vote among the six JBC members to keep this out of the proposed budget. If it advances, it will go before the full legislature, where we will need broad opposition to stop it. A vote could happen at any time.
Lawmakers are in session, and time is limited. Your letter should be brief and to the point. You can advocate for your child by stating how Summit Academy South, a part-time program, has been beneficial to your family. Remember, this is NOT an attack on homeschooling. The emphasis should be on the program, and it's educational benefit to your child and the impact its closing would have on your child.
Students and alumni: You may state how Summit supported you or provided for your education, what you are doing now, and how this was accomplished at half the cost of a regular education.
Here is a link to a sample parent letter template.
Thank you for standing with Summit Academy South and advocating for your children.
Sincerely,
Allycia Taussig
Joint Budget Committee Members:
rick.taggart.house@coleg.gov (Supportive of part-time programs.)
barbara.kirkmeyer.senate@coleg.gov (Supportive of part-time programs)
kyle.brown.house@coleg.gov
judy.amabile.senate@coleg.gov
jeff.bridges.senate@coleg.gov (Supportive of the budget cut)
emily.sirota.house@coleg.gov (Supportive of the budget cut)
