Why Weld RE-1 is Returning to the Ballot Weld RE-1 has placed a mill levy override (MLO) on the November 2026 ballot to address high teacher turnover amid declining enrollment and state funding.

• Declining Enrollment & Funding: Over the past five years, enrollment has steadily dropped across all levels. Because state funding is tied to enrollment, our district has lost roughly $3.8 million since 2020, with further declines projected.

• High Teacher Turnover: Our starting teacher pay is the lowest among our peer districts. This contributes to a high teacher turnover rate and creates challenges in attracting and recruiting qualified teachers.

Funds Would Stay Local All funds from the MLO would stay local.

What the MLO Would Provide The proposed MLO would provide additional operating funds to increase teacher and staff salaries, helping the district address recruitment and retention challenges.

Understanding the Tax Impact: Who Pays What? Based on current property values, the tax impact of the proposed MLO would fall primarily on local industry rather than residents. It is estimated that the oil and gas industry would fund more than 60% of the cost, while homeowners would be responsible for less than 10%. If approved, Weld RE-1’s school district tax rate would remain one of the lowest in the region.

Monthly Tax Impact of $1.77 for $400,000 Home The table below shows the estimated tax impact of the proposed $1.3 million MLO based on actual home values.

Please see the image to the right

For homeowners who qualify and apply for the Homestead Property Tax Exemption, the tax impact would be lower. The tax impact estimates are based on the current total assessed valuation and an assessment rate of 7.05%. The estimates are preliminary and subject to change.

Ballot Question The following ballot question will appear on the November 6, 2026 ballot:

Shall Weld County School District No. RE-1 taxes be increased up to $1.3 million annually for recruiting, training, and retaining quality teachers and staff by raising salaries and wages to be more competitive with other Colorado school districts through a property tax override mill levy to be imposed at a rate sufficient to produce the amount set forth above, to be deposited into the general fund of the District, to be in addition to the property taxes that otherwise would be levied from the general fund and to constitute a voter-approved revenue change? Arguments in Favor of and Against the MLO The following are examples of arguments for and against the MLO:

Arguments in Favor

• The MLO would support more competitive teacher and staff salaries, helping reduce employee turnover and improve continuity for students.

• Weld RE-1 has the lowest starting teacher salary among comparable districts, contributing to ongoing turnover challenges.

• Improving teacher retention reduces costs tied to recruitment and training. It’s expensive to train new teachers and then have them leave for better pay elsewhere.

Arguments Against

• Given rising costs, now is a difficult time to be asking for more tax dollars.

• The District should have pursued the bond proposal rather than the MLO due to the condition of our school facilities.

• The oil and gas industry would pay the majority of the tax, which would be an unfair burden on that sector.