The Roaring Fork School Board of Education discussed topics that would be on the upcoming November ballot during their meeting on Wednesday night at the Carbondale District Office. 

During a loaded Wednesday night docket, the board dug deep into the new 7A early childcare ballot measure, while also passing a resolution in support of propositions LL and MM — further strengthening their stance in support of Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program. 

Board President Jasmin Ramirez, a state representative on the Early Childhood Leadership Committee, abstained from participating in the 7A initiative conversation to avoid a conflict of interest. 

Vice President Betsy After and board member Kenny Teitler were absent during Wednesday night’s meeting, meaning there wasn’t a quorum for action on the matter.

The board heard the “Strong Start, Bright Future” presentation from former RFSD Superintendent and volunteer in support of the initiative Rob Stein, but didn’t have a quorum because of Ramirez’s abstination, and pushed back any action on the matter for their scheduled Oct. 7 meeting. 

“I’m going to recuse myself from discussion,” Ramirez said as open discussion began after Stein’s presentation. “It’s important for the school district to be as transparent on why we do some of the things we do. Because of the potential of me serving a dual-role in district 2 for the 7A coalition, I want to make sure that the rest of my colleagues are here for a vote on the matter.”

Although the board wasn’t able to take action on the 7A initiative, they listened to the proposal that described a .25% sales tax on non-essential items throughout Garfield, Pitkin, and Southwest Eagle Counties. 

The money raised would be used to lower the cost of preschool and childcare for families, expand capacity of preschool and childcare facilities, and increase wages for preschool and childcare teachers and staff. 

According to a Roaring Fork School District Board of Education memo about the 7A ballot measure, the initiative was “developed by local children’s advocates, educators and community leaders dedicated to making our region a great place to raise a family.”

The memo predicts 7A would generate roughly $12 million per year and help RFSD reduce more than $1.3 million annually from the General Fund to the ECE Fund. 

“The first five years are the most crucial developmental years, it’s when 90% of brain development happens for everyone,” Stein said during his presentation. “Kids who have access to high quality preschool are better prepared for kindergarten, they read earlier, and they live healthier lives. They have better development skills, better developed social skills, better self regulation skills, and are able to establish constructive relationships. They’re more likely to graduate from high school and college, they earn higher wages, and they’re less likely to participate in the justice system. The benefits are innumerable.”

Although the board was unable to take action on 7A, board members Kathryn Kuhlenberg and Lindsay DeFrates were very outspoken in support of the initiative. Kuhlenberg also pointed out prior public comments she has made in favor of the “moderate tax.”

“I’m a full supporter of this initiative,” Kuhlenberg said on Wednesday. “I have publicly endorsed (7A) already, I have been recorded and provided quotes, and I’m doing outreach to preschools so that a director’s voice is included if it does pass. I think that this could be an amazing opportunity for our valley. I think that, if done right, this will impact kids in the innumerable and immeasurable ways that you’ve described.”

“I’m extremely proud of our region for being a state leader in finding this type of solution,” DeFrates added.

Board passes resolution in support of propositions LL and MM

DeFrates, Kuhlenberg and Ramirez voted unanimously to pass a resolution in support of props LL and MM on Wednesday night. 

Propositions LL and MM help supplement the increasing costs and budget constraints the free food programs are facing. The propositions that seek to retain and raise funds for healthy school meal programs only impact households earning over $300,000 annually.  

Colorado became the third state to offer free school meals for all public school students in 2022. 

According to a presentation given by Erika Cervantes from Hunger Free Colorado on Wednesday night, Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All provided over 600,000 free meals daily, saving families $1,300 per child in the process. 

“If both prop LL and MM pass, we’re looking at taking two steps forward with being able to continue to offer free school lunch for all students, improve the quality of the meals, and continue to implement the rest of the pieces of Proposition FF that were paused due to lack of funding, Cervantes said. “If prop LL and MM don’t pass in November, many schools throughout the state will have to return to charging students for meals, starting in January.”

According to a RFSD fact sheet, high schools, charter schools and Carbondale Middle School didn’t meet the threshold to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision funding.

Not qualifying for CEP funding means if props LL and MM aren’t passed, those schools will lose state funding for Healthy School Meals for All starting in January. 

“These schools will begin charging students for meals unless they qualify for Free or Reduced (meals) eligibility. This represents a revenue loss of approximately $30,000 per month, or $150,000 for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year,” the fact sheet reads.

“I would struggle to understand how to be proud of our state if we do not prioritize feeding our students,” DeFrates said. “Our public schools create a safe space, and our students cannot learn or grow without the food to do so.”

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held on Wed. Oct. 8, at the Roaring Fork Schools District Office, 400 Sopris Ave., Carbondale. Visit rfschools.com for more information.