News Release

October 9, 2014

For further information contact: Susan Meek Director of Communications 303.762.8762; 720.971.9830 (mobile) [email protected]

CASE announces endorsements for the November 2014 election

Representatives from the CASE Coordinating Council and the Legislative Committee met Friday, September 5, 2014 to make endorsements for the 2014 ballot initiatives as well as candidates for state offices. Only candidates who submitted a response to the CASE Questionnaire were considered for endorsement. Candidates and campaigns have now been notified of CASE positions, which were made not along party lines, but with a mind to what school leaders believe is truly the best for the future of Colorado’s youth. The CASE Legislative Committee, with diverse membership from across Colorado, engaged in a data-driven process to make its selections. Our committee members looked at incumbent votes on key issues, questionnaire responses, past and current endorsements, efforts on CASE legislative efforts and respectful interactions with our legislative team and members. We had a very simple bottom line in our process: It is about the kids.

CASE endorsements for November 2014 include:

Amendment 68: NEUTRAL After a rigorous debate, the CASE Legislative Committee voted to stay neutral on Amendment 68, noting that this proposal is not without serious concerns. This stance is consistent with previous positions questions related to “sin taxes” for education, but it is more of a practical position than a moral one. It was determined that if CASE officially opposed this Amendment, it could be misconstrued that we think there is not a need for more education funding—which could not be further from the truth. What we do need though, is a steady, reliable source of funding for K-12 education that does not let the public or the legislature off the hook.

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Proposition 104: OPPOSE While there is acknowledgement that this measure should easily pass, this statutory change brings up vexing and unclear policy parameters for school leaders to follow. It sounds good on its face, and Coloradans value open government and transparency. But when you dig into the policy, it becomes problematic.

Proposition 104 sets up a new, one-size-fits-all open-meeting mandate for school district administrators who enter into “discussions” related to collective bargaining. What does it cover? Strategy sessions held by the board, grievances filed by employees and other seemingly innocuous conversations. The lack of clarity will certainly land this in court and will result in litigation and attorneys’ fees. Oh, and districts can do this already, they don’t need a new law to open their negotiations—many already do just that. Proposition 104 is irresponsible and promoted by one interest group (the Independence Institute) who has refused to disclose their donors.

State Senate and House of Representatives

CASE made endorsements on 26 races for the Colorado House and Senate.

SENATE SUPPORTS: SD1 – SD3 – Leroy M. Garcia SD5 – SD11 – SD19 – SD22 – Andy Kerr SD24 – Judy Solano

HOUSE SUPPORTS: HD7 – Angela Williams HD8 – Beth McCann HD9 – Paul Bradley Rosenthal HD11 – Jonathan Singer HD13 – K.C. Becker HD15 – Lois A. Fornander HD18 – HD22 – Mary K. Parker HD26 – Diane Mitsch Bush HD28 – HD29 – Tracy Kraft-Tharp

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HD33 – Dianne Primavera HD35 – HD36 – Su Ryden HD37 – Nancy Cronk HD50 – Dave Young HD52 – HD59 – Michael E. McLachlan HD61 – Millie Hamner

Since 1969, the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) has been known as the professional association for public school administrators across Colorado. Our membership includes more than 2,400 school leaders, including superintendents, principals and other school administrators in all 178 school districts in Colorado. CASE empowers Colorado education leaders through advocacy, professional learning and networking in order to deliver on the promise of public education.

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