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LM Month 2019
Enrollment: 1,306 FY18: $378,970 FY20: $209,154
Type: preK–12
FY19: $219,505
How EBF has made a difference
A change in the state’s funding formula came at the right time
for Marshall CUSD #2C.
The district avoided layoffs or reductions in programs when
general state aid was pro-rated. However, due to financial
constraints, the district lacked the resources to address
certain needs.
With increased state funding, Marshall CUSD #2C hired an
additional fourth grade teacher to keep classroom sizes in the
low 20s.
“Being able to add that fifth teacher has made a huge
difference for us,” Superintendent Kevin Ross said.
Evidence-Based Funding also allowed the district to address
security needs by helping fund the salary and benefits of
a liaison police officer. In addition, the funding enhanced
professional development opportunities for teachers,
especially in the area of special education.
“We want to be able to do the best we can for our low income
and special education population and now we were able to
bring in more heavy-hitting professional development for our
staff, particularly at the junior high level,” Ross said.
New state dollars will also help the district meet new
minimum salary level thresholds for teachers and keep up
with increases in the minimum wage.
Enrollment: 3,415 FY18: $2.5 million FY20: $1.1 million
Type: 9–12
FY19: $1.9 million
How EBF has made a difference
The state’s investment into Evidence-Based Funding is
helping Thornton Fractional Twp HSD #215 better prepare
students for college while easing the financial burden.
Thornton Fractional Twp HSD #215 hired seven additional
teachers, which allowed the district to double its Advanced
Placement offerings from seven to 14 classes. As a result,
hundreds of additional students who may never have been
exposed to rigorous AP courses had a chance to enroll
in an AP course and if they passed the AP exam, earn
college credit.
“We have enough research out there now that shows the
more you expose students to rigorous coursework, the
better prepared they are when they enter college,” said
Superintendent Dr. Teresa Lance.
To maximize the effectiveness of the district’s AP program,
Thornton Fractional Twp HSD #215 pays for students to take
the AP exam. To earn college credit, students have to score
threes or better on a five-point scale. By paying for students
to take the AP exam, we increase students likelihood of
sitting for the exam because we have taken the financial
burden off of families.
Another benefit of expanding AP offerings is it eases the
financial burden of student loan debt.
“When you align the level of rigor in high school to college,
students will not have to sit in remedial courses when they
enter college,” Lance said.
The additional state funding also allowed Thornton Fractional
Twp HSD #215 to hire a mental health specialist. The position
will allow the district to provide another level of support for
students who have suffered from trauma.
Marshall CUSD #2C
Thornton Fractional TWP HSD #215
Series Part XII
Difference
...
cont’d.
during the pro-ration of general state aid. “At some point,
every district has to have the resources. We have gotten
back to that level and we’re going beyond it by making an
investment in the education of our students.”
Continued Support of EBF Would…
With continued investment into EBF, Flora CUSD #35 will
continue to try and reduce classroom sizes to match levels
suggested in the formula.
Another priority would be to hire more counselors to provide
students with more social-emotional support. Furthermore,
the district is looking at adding more elective courses to
provide students with more opportunities to be career and
college ready.
“Evidence-Based Funding really took the pressure off of
us,” Ross said. “We have a history of being cost effective,
and we want to continue that while we also keep moving
things forward.”
Continued Support of EBF Would…
Marshall CUSD #2C plans to provide more social-emotional
support for students by adding additional counselors and
social workers at the district’s different buildings.