Investing in Education
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
The above quote has been on a poster on my classroom walls since I began teaching. In order for our democracy to be successful, it is imperative we have a quality education system. However, Colorado consistently ranks lowest in comparison to other states when it comes to supporting education, so much so that teachers in Colorado are struggling to afford to live in our beautiful state, leading to unfilled teaching positions, especially in our rural communities. The teachers that do manage to stay in Colorado are immensely hard-working and extremely supportive of students. That is why it is so crucial for us to continue to make strides to support Colorado’s students and teachers, especially in rural districts, at the State Capitol.
My 2025 Sponsored Legislation:
HB25-1320, School Finance Act:
This year’s School Finance Act represents our unwavering commitment to Colorado’s children and their educational journey. Every child deserves access to quality education in well-resourced classrooms with dedicated teachers, and this legislation helps keep that vision a reality.
After eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor last year, this law provides tools to ensure it does not return.
Total K-12 appropriation for FY 2025-26 would be $10,035,615,918, or a $256 million increase over FY 2024-25.
HB25-1135, Limiting Cell Phone Use in Schools:
This bipartisan law has school districts set their own rules about phones in classrooms to help students focus and protect their mental health — something nearly all teachers support since they see first hand how phones distract from learning.
HB25-1210, Limit Data Reporting Burdens for Rural Schools:
This bipartisan law focuses on efficiency and compliance with state needs. It will assess reporting time and seek improvements. Schools with improvement plans may submit them in preferred formats if they meet legal requirements. This law was requested by our rural schools.
HB25-1278, Education Accountability System:
This bipartisan law makes changes to state assessments and school accountability laws, and implements all of the concurrent recommendations of the Accountability, Accreditation, Student Performance, and Resource Inequity Task Force.
HB25-1186, Worked-Based Learning:
This bipartisan law creates a faculty-driven, worked-based learning program in higher education institutions for on-the-job apprenticeships, which will connect academic learning with real-work applications.
My 2024 Sponsored Legislation:
SB24-188: The School Finance Act 2024
Eliminates the Budget Stabilization Factor (BSF), which has restricted funding for Colorado's K-12 public schools for more than a decade. Additionally, this year’s school finance act increases the total funding for public schools by more than $500 million which raises per-pupil funding by $736, bringing the total to $11,406 per student.
HB24-1096: School Psychologist Compact
Similar to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, legislation I passed in 2024, this bill will support and uplift high-quality school psychologists who are trying to move to Colorado, by removing the barrier of re-licensure.
HB24-1320: Educator Safety Task Force
Establishes the Educator Safety Task Force, a coalition of education professionals dedicated to enhancing the safety of public school students and staff.
SB24-132: Evaluation Protections & Educators
This bill extends the privacy of our educators by balancing an educator’s accountability with their right to personal privacy.
HB24-1448: New School Funding Formula
Updates the public school finance formula to a student-centered formula that increases money to rural schools.
My 2023 Sponsored Legislation:
SB23-287: School Finance Act 2023
The largest commitment to public education in Colorado history. It reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, invests $30 million into rural schools, and commits lawmakers to fully fund public schools in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, it raises the statewide average of per-pupil funding to $10,614.
HB23-1064: Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
Addresses the teacher shortage by making it easier for teachers to move from out-of-state.
SB23-094: School Transportation Task Force
Creates a task force to compile a report with findings and recommendations to improve public school transportation services.
HB23-1198: Teacher Externship Program For S.T.E.M Disciplines
Establishes a teacher externship program for teachers to participate in external opportunities in S.T.E.M.
As your representative, I will continue to:
Utilize my perspective as a high school teacher and my Master’s degree in Leadership in Educational Organizations to advocate for educational policy that promotes a quality education system.
Work to invest in a strong education system.
Increase access to mental health resources in Colorado schools.
Prioritize public school funding.
Mitigate the educational workforce shortage.
Promote access to affordable early childhood education.
Represent constituents and stakeholders invested in education.