Gov. Polis signs 2 key school-funding bills into law at Aurora school

AURORA | Third-grade students at Virginia Court Elementary School celebrated the last day of school by witnessing two state education bills become law. 

Gov. Jared Polis at a signing ceremony made law Senate Bill 188, which adjusts base per-pupil funding for schools, and House Bill 1448, which modernizes the finance formula and adjusts it so that historically marginalized students will receive more money.

“It’s not every day you see a bill turned into a law, but also one that really helps support and fund our schools,” Polis said. 

When speaking about the Senate bill, Polis said that it “lives up to the voters expectations to fully fund education.”

“We’ll see the benefits of that. Your teachers will be paid better, your class size might be smaller. Maybe there’ll be some better supplies around the classroom. All of these things are going to happen for next school year,” Polis said. 

Colorado State senators Janet Buckner, D- Aurora, and Rachel Zenzinger D-Arvada, both of whom have experience as educators, also attended the signing. They were also the sponsors for Senate Bill 188. 

The Senate bill will ensure that schools are adequately funded “and that each student can live up to their potential,” Buckner said. “We also want to make sure that our teachers have everything they need to be successful.” 

At the signing, Polis said that the House bill is about making sure that the money goes to the right place “and recognizing that some schools and districts have a harder job ahead of them.”

Under this bill, more money will be allocated toward students with special needs, students who qualify for free and reduced lunches and English language learners. 

Cherry Creek School District initially opposed this bill when it was introduced in April, but officials have since taken a neutral position. No one from Cherry Creek attended the signing. 

Aurora Public School has supported the house bill. 

Brett Johnson, chief financial officer for the district, said that the House bill would not have been possible without the senate measure. He has been active this legislative session, representing the school district, the Colorado Association of School Executives and representing a cohort of Denver-metro area CFOs. 

The Senate bill will go into effect next school year. Schools will begin to see some money from the house bill 2025-26 school year. The new formula will gradually be implemented over the years and will fully go into effect for the 2030-31 school year.