"Well, I think the key word is 'could,'" Jennifer Churchfield, president of the Cherry Creek School Board, said.
In Cherry Creek, the district is asking voters for a $25 million mill levy override to provide more money for the classrooms and a $125 million bond issue to fix building issues.
"As a district we have cut almost $40 million from the operating costs," Churchfield said. "If our bond and budget does not pass, we will have more kids, fewer adults. We'll have more desks, fewer resources."
But, in September, the Colorado Legislative Council Staff and its chief economist, Natalie Mullis, issued an economic forecast that spelled out a better future for school funding.
The report states that at the end of the 2013 fiscal year, the State Education Fund could receive an additional $678.5 million, thanks to an improved economy and House Bill 12-1338.
The new law states that all of the General Fund Surplus for the 2013 fiscal year will be moved to the State Education Fund.
Churchfield says that's great, but the district cannot afford to just sit on its laurels and hope.
"While I'm hopeful that the state will find solutions for the overall funding issues, I have to do what I need to do," Churchfield said.
Philip Edwards is a Denver resident. Denver Public Schools is asking voters for a $466 million bond issue and a $49 million mill levy override. He wonders about this amount, especially after DPS got a $454 million bond issue passed in 2008.
Edwards believes the infusion of money into the state fund should be used instead of having his property taxes raised.
"I'm especially concerned that it's not a one-time tax," Edwards said. "I think that they should do more trying to cut the spending than just increasing taxes."
Mullis says the $678.5 million can certainly boost K-12 funding statewide. But, she says it is still not enough to offset the $1.1 billion cut from school over the past few years.
Edwards is not sure if he and other voters should be the ones to shoulder the difference.
"I think it needs to be balanced with the taxpayers who pay for the schools," Edwards said.
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)