On Thursday, in a 5-to-1 vote, board members approved the measure. The districts says for every $100,000 a Jeffco home is worth, the home owner would be responsible for paying around $1.23 per month. The board says the average resident would pay around $34 extra per year.
The issue sparked a passionate debate from people on both sides of the issue. Many PTA representatives, teachers and parents passionately spoke to the board on the importance of voting to have the tax increase on the November ballot. To supporters of the tax, it was a matter of saving Jeffco schools.
If the tax doesn't pass, the district says music programs at the elementary level, teacher librarians and other programs would be on the chopping block.
"In order to have a strong work force an strong economy you need people that are smart innovative and creative and you don't get that by letting the school system go to pieces," Chris Ainscouch said.
Ainscouch has children in the district and says the tax increase is more of an investment in the future of Jefferson County and Colorado. But, not everyone saw eye-to-eye.
"I would like to see better student achievement for the dollars that we've spent and so I'm thinking it's a little bit more to do with how we're spending those dollars then the number of dollars we're spending," Sheila Atwell said.
A group called the Citizens for Jeffco Schools will launch a campaign Friday at 10am. They will try to encourage voters to vote "yes" for the tax increase in November.