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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.13.26 Special Study Session NotesPage 1 of 3 NOTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO Hybrid Meeting Monday, April 13, 2026 The Special Study Session was held both in person and virtually in a hybrid format at 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers. Councilmembers and City staff were present in the Council Chambers. Members of the public were able to observe and participate either in person or virtually. CALL TO ORDER The April 13, 2026, Special Study Session was called to order by Mayor Stites at 7:48 p.m. ATTENDANCE Councilmembers present: Rachel Hultin, Dan Larson, Kathleen Martell, Scott Ohm, Mike Okada, Patrick Quinn, Jenny Snell, and Susan Wood. Absent: None STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Patrick Goff, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, and Senior Deputy City Clerk Onorina Maloney. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS No public comment was received in person, via Zoom, or through Wheat Ridge Speaks. 1. JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATE Page 2 of 3 City Manager Goff introduced Jefferson County Public Schools Board President Michelle Applegate, who provided an update on district operations, achievements, and ongoing challenges. Applegate, an engineer specializing in air compliance and decarbonization, has served on the board for three years. She began by outlining the scope of the district, noting that Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) serves approximately 75,000 students across 145 schools and employs roughly 14,000 staff members, making it the largest employer in Jefferson County. Applegate highlighted several recent accomplishments. She described the opening of the new Fletcher Miller School, designed specifically for students with significant accessibility needs, featuring hallways and lighting tailored to support a wide range of physical and sensory requirements. She also reported that the district achieved a 94 percent graduation rate—its highest in 16 years and approximately eight percent above the state average. She emphasized the strength of Jeffco’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which currently serve about 14,000 students. Applegate noted that CTE participants demonstrate higher graduation rates and benefit from hands-on training aligned with emerging workforce needs. She referenced projections indicating that 65 percent of current students will ultimately work in jobs that do not yet exist, underscoring the district’s focus on future-ready skills. Applegate also reviewed academic progress following districtwide curriculum alignment. Early literacy data show that 63 percent of K–3 students are now at or above grade level, up from 39 percent at the start of the year, and 67 percent of students are meeting phonics benchmarks, compared with 55 percent nationally. Middle school efforts are centered on smoother transitions, while high schools are implementing “reimagined” instructional models designed to prepare students for evolving career pathways. Turning to financial conditions, Applegate outlined significant budget pressures driven by declining enrollment—approximately 1,500 fewer students each year, down from a peak of 90,000—as well as increased compensation needs and uncertain state funding. The district has implemented $40 million in reductions, including approximately 150 positions affecting 50 employees, and schools have absorbed budget cuts ranging from 2 to 9 percent depending on size and needs. She presented three potential November ballot options under consideration: a $75 million general-purpose mill levy override (the maximum allowed), a $135 million package combining general-purpose and special-purpose overrides, or a general-purpose mill levy paired with a bond. Estimated taxpayer impacts range from $21 to $45 annually per $100,000 of assessed value. Applegate noted that without additional voter-approved funding, the district may need to implement further reductions, including potential hiring freezes, pay freezes, and fewer contact days. Page 3 of 3 Council Discussion Councilmembers engaged in a detailed discussion with President Applegate regarding district funding, enrollment trends, and long-term planning. Members asked about funding comparisons with neighboring districts, and Applegate confirmed that Jefferson County receives approximately $3,000 to $4,000 less per student than Boulder and Denver, which affects teacher compensation and recruitment efforts. Council also inquired about enrollment projections, acknowledging the decline from a peak of 90,000 students to the current 75,000, with an anticipated annual loss of roughly 1,500 students. Council sought clarification on the distinctions between general-purpose mill levy funding, which provides broad operational flexibility, and special-purpose mill levies, which are restricted to capital and technology expenditures. Members also discussed the impact of charter school enrollment on district resources and the broader distribution of funding across Jefferson County. Capital funding needs and deferred maintenance were also addressed. Applegate described ongoing infrastructure pressures and explained how a general-purpose mill levy override could help stabilize operations, in contrast to special-purpose funding that is limited to specific categories. Councilmembers asked about enrollment and capacity trends specific to Wheat Ridge, noting that the city has the highest elementary capacity in the district. They also discussed the influence of Wheat Ridge High School’s innovative programming and strong CTE offerings on districtwide instructional strategy. Applegate emphasized the positive impact of these programs on student engagement and success and expressed interest in continued collaboration between the district and the City of Wheat Ridge to support shared educational goals. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Stites adjourned the Special Study Session of April 13, 2026, at 9:01 p.m. _____________________________ Rachel Hultin, Mayor Pro Tem _________________________________________________ Onorina Maloney, Senior Deputy City Clerk