January 6, 2009 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information:
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567
Lynn Setzer, lsetzer@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6810

Jeffco Board of Education looks for community feedback on budget

Members of the Jefferson County Board of Education are asking for the community’s help in making tough decisions about the school district’s budget.  The district will need to cut at least $35 million between 2009 and 2012 after voters rejected the bond and mill levy measures on the November ballot.

The board has received recommendations from staff and community budget workgroups and wants to continue to gather feedback from many different voices in Jefferson County.

“These are very difficult decisions and we want the best thinking of our various stakeholder groups,” said Jefferson County Board of Education president, Scott Benefield.

Board members will hold a series of community meetings, “Challenges and Choices”, in early January to gather community feedback.  

“Because our schools are such a vital part of the community, we want our neighbors to weigh in on what they think is important for us to keep in the budget; that dialogue will be critical as we make these tough choices,” said Benefield.

The dates, locations and times of the “Challenges and Choices” community forums are:

January 3 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Belmar Public Library, 555 S. Allison Pkwy., Lakewood
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Arvada West High School, 11325 Allendale Dr., Arvada
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Evergreen Public Library, 5000 Highway 73, Evergreen
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Dakota Ridge High School, 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton
January 10 – 10:30-11:30 a.m., Arvada Public Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada
January 12 – 6:00- 7:00 p.m., Evergreen Middle School, 2059 Hiwan Dr., Evergreen  
January 20- 5:30-6:30 p.m., Standley Lake High School, 9300 West 104th Avenue, Westminster