Strong Schools for a Strong Community
Yes on 5B
Strong Schools Start with Us
Great schools are the foundation of a great community. They're why families move here, why businesses invest here, and why our kids can build their futures here.
Our local funding has fallen behind comparable mountain communities, and the district faces growing challenges: attracting and retaining great educators, maintaining student programs, and preserving the high-quality schools our community values.
The Eagle County School District Board of Education has approved a $10.1 million MLO that will appear on the November ballot as BALLOT ISSUE 5B.
What is a Mill Levy Override?
It’s a Local Solution:
A Mill Levy Override (MLO) is a voter-approved property tax that provides funds for the school district’s general fund. These funds go to our local schools and not the state.
Unlike a school district bond, which has been used by ECSD to fund new construction such as the Gypsum Early Learning Center and district housing projects, a mill levy override is used for ongoing operational expenses, such as retaining and attracting quality teachers and staff, educational programming, and student mental health services.
The Eagle County School District Board of Education has approved a $10.1 million mill levy override ballot measure that will appear on the November 2026 ballot as Ballot Issue 5B.
Every dollar raised by voting YES on 5B stays right here in Eagle County.
The Challenge
Public education in Colorado has always been underfunded when compared to the rest of the country, and this is not changing anytime soon. State funding alone can't keep pace with what our schools need to thrive.
ECSD is already feeling the impact of inadequate school funding.This past spring, the district cut more than $4 million and eliminated approximately 60 jobs for the 2026-2027 school year - resulting in reductions in programming and electives for students, and more challenges in retaining and recruiting necessary staff. All of this impacts our students and our local quality of life.
School districts must rely on their local communities to fill the funding gap through voter-approved property tax-generated investments in local schools. 5B is a $10.1 million mill levy override that will provide critical ongoing support for people, programs and services in ECSD.
Voting YES on 5B helps ECSD students with stronger schools and brighter futures.
The Solution
Vote YES on 5B. Our students deserve the same competitive advantage as their peers in neighboring districts. We can achieve this by voter approval of 5B which will generate the funds needed to invest in three critical areas. In Colorado, school districts are legally mandated to share MLO revenue with their district-authorized charter schools.
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Teachers & Staff: To retain and recruit high-quality teachers and staff with competitive pay
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Academic Programs: To strengthen student support in reading, writing, and math instruction, and to restore and protect art, music, and physical education
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Mental Health: To ensure continued access to student mental health services
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Charter School: A small share will be provided to district-authorized charter school, Eagle County Charter Academy
Vote YES on 5B. Our students deserve the same competitive advantage as their peers in neighboring districts. We can achieve this by voter approval of 5B which will generate the funds needed to invest in three critical areas. In Colorado, school districts are legally mandated to share MLO revenue with their district-authorized charter schools.
How we compare
to our mountain neighbors.
Communities across our region have made local investments in their schools — and it shows.
Voting YES on 5B will allow Eagle County to invest in our schools and teachers at a level closer to our neighboring mountain communities — keeping us competitive for the great educators our students deserve.
How Much Will It Cost?
If approved by voters, 5B would cost a homeowner an estimated $11 per month per $1,000,000 of assessed value based on current assessment rates. These funds stay 100% local - keeping teachers in our classrooms and staff in our schools, maintaining educational programs, and ensuring mental health services to support all students.
Restrictions & Accountability
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No revenue from the 2026 MLO will be used for senior district administration salary increases.
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Funds are subject to an annual independent audit.
What We Know
Eagle County families consistently tell us teacher and staff retention is the top priority for our schools. Keeping great educators in our classrooms is directly tied to student success. Families also tell us that programming in art, music, and athletics, along with quality mental health resources and career and college-readiness programs are essential to a well-rounded education and building the workforce our community needs for the future.
Voting YES on 5B matters now, more than ever!
Whether you're a parent, educator, business owner, or community member who cares about the future of Eagle County, together, we can make sure every student in Eagle County has access to a world-class education — right here at home.
5B is a local solution to our collective school funding challenges. We need our teachers and staff to remain in Eagle County, and we need to ensure all students have access to the educational programs and individual support they need to be successful in school and accomplish the great things they can do in their bright futures.
Strong Schools for a Strong Community - Vote YES on 5B
How Education Funding Works in Colorado: A breakdown - The Education Foundation of Eagle County
IN THE NEWS
Vail Daily
August 26, 2026
Vail Daily
June 3, 2026
RESOURCE DOWNLOADS
Education Foundation of Eagle County
The Education Foundation of Eagle County is committed to supporting public education and the intellectual and emotional growth of students, specifically focusing on in-school enrichment, mental health support services, and efforts to retain top teacher talent. EFEC’s top priority is to maintain an excellent learning experience for students by supporting teachers and schools in Eagle County.
