Back in 2015, this community sent a message that was loud and clear: "We Can Be Great". In an unprecedented election result, Iam27J community advocates (that's YOU) came back from a demoralizing 120-vote loss in 2014 to pass a bond measure that is solving our overcrowding issues.

Your work gave us the buildings we need so kids have the room they need to learn. But now they need the tools and the talent to be successful.

That's why School District 27J has spent the last year analyzing the needs of the district. They brought together the "Quality Schools Initiative 2.0" committee to evaluate the funding profile of the district and recommend a proposal that reflects what the community really needs out of the district.

The full press release from the district is after the jump. It goes through the process and talks about the results of a community survey that included more than 1,300 residents.  

Here's the press release from the school district on the QSI 2.0 committee.

"BRIGHTON, COLO. (May 1, 2017) – Over the past four months, a group of Brighton citizens including: parents, students, teachers, community leaders and concerned individuals came together to discuss funding challenges facing School District 27J and brainstorm ways to alleviate current financial shortfalls.

"The group was tasked with deciding how much additional funding is required to bridge the gap between School District 27 and other area districts. In 2016, School District 27J was the least funded school district out of the 15 Denver-metro area districts.

"The School District contracted with JSE Associates to design and facilitate the QSI meetings and Strategies 360 to organize and conduct a phone poll of 300 likely voters in the 27J community that measured enthusiasm and support of a mill levy. The District designed an eight-question survey intended to collect information on community satisfaction with quality of education, funding needs and support of a possible mill levy override campaign. Over 1,300 people participated in the survey.

"Overall, respondents to both the poll and survey believe that recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers and instructional staff, replacing outdated educational materials and ensuring increased student access to technology are the most important issues requiring additional financial support.

"After deep reflection and thoughtful consideration, the Committee recommended that the District pursue a $12 million mill levy override election this November, based on polling data and feedback from the community survey. School District Superintendent, Dr. Chris Fiedler will be weighing that recommendation between now and August when he will determine whether or not to bring it before the Board of Education for their consideration."