New school funding boosts support for students [Video]

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado lawmakers are working to make school funding in our state more student-centered. A new bill looks to update Colorado’s outdated school finance formula to increase funding for rural schools and at-risk students, special education, and English Language Learners.

On Thursday, April 11, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, and Senator Rachel Zenzinger introduced legislation that will update Colorado’s school finance formula.

“Educational opportunities shouldn’t depend on a student’s zip code; I’m proud of the broad, bipartisan coalition that has come together to increase funding for students with the greatest needs and provide more resources to rural and remote schools, which have historically been underfunded,” said Speaker McCluskie, D-Dillon.

Lawmakers told FOX21 News that Colorado’s school finance formula is outdated, inequitable, and hasn’t been significantly changed in nearly 30 years.

“The deeply researched, student-centered updates we’re proposing for …