***Note that if Governor Polis is re-elected, he anticipates submitting a revised budget in January of 2023.
Key Narratives of R-01:
**PLEASE NOTE: Any time they reference "one qualifying factor" it means those children MUST go through the school district only (unless the district chooses to contract with Head Start or community based programs). If this is NOT the intent, clarity in the pending rule set this week would preserve parent choice and mixed delivery system.
The second to last bullet references "a specified purpose". That statute states:
IN ADDITION TO DISTRIBUTING FUNDING BASED ON THE PER-CHILD RATES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(A) OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT MAY BY RULE DISTRIBUTE FUNDING TO ACHIEVE A SPECIFIED PURPOSE, WHICH MAY INCLUDE FUNDING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES THROUGH THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND FUNDING FOR MEASURES RELATED TO RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND RETAINING PRESCHOOL EDUCATORS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY CHOOSE TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDING PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (1)(d) ONLY AFTER THE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATES THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO FUND PRESCHOOL SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN WHO ARE THREE YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER, UP TO THE AMOUNTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (2)(c) OF THIS SECTION, AND TO FULLY FUND UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL SERVICES FOR ALL ELIGIBLE CHILDREN WHO ENROLL.
In the narrative it explains that other states have experienced a 40-60% take up rate from families.
ALREADY THIS YEAR Prop EE Funds have generated $222 Million for UPK this year, a number much higher than anticipated. They will work to ensure that the higher than expected revenue does not have to be returned based on TABOR. If it does, it would mean a return of funds through a decrease in the tax rate for tobacco products.
Qualifying Factors:
This would cover, it is anticipated, an additional 6,000 classrooms.
What we know about E&E....homes will only be eligible for the $50,000 maximum award this time around. All programs that request E&E grants will receive the funding on a reimbursement basis, so if they do not have the money for the project, they must take out a loan and then pay of the loan with the reimbursement funds.
Here are the links to the Current Budget requests:
R-01:
R-02:
R-03: