An Integral Educational Component

Steamboat Education Fund Bolsters Routt County Schools & Organizations

The Yampa Valley, as one large interconnected community, features different cities and towns with unique histories that contribute to the collective personality of the region. 

The Routt County school districts of Steamboat Springs (SSSD), Hayden (HSD) and South Routt (SRSD) are known for their inter-district collaboration and support of one another amidst uncertain futures in regards to school financing. 

Amongst the three is a background partner who assists the districts, and by extension the students, in having what they need to succeed.

This entity is Steamboat Springs Education Fund (SSEF).

Established in 1993 by the voters of Steamboat Springs, it placed a half-cent sales and use tax within the Steamboat Springs School District. The tax, which has been successfully brought before voters four subsequent times, is dedicated to “public preK-12 educational purposes.” It is also available to non-profit community-based entities who offer school-based programming within Routt County. 

Their mission is “to enhance academic accomplishment in Routt County through student-facing investments in staff, facilities, infrastructure, technology, and curriculum, made available through our public schools.”

The SSEF is run by a board entitled the Education Fund Board, or EFB. It contains up to 11 members, each of whom serve three year terms.

Since its establishment, the SSEF has donated almost 88.3 million dollars to school districts and organizations in Routt County. 

“Our [main] concern is that we want to make sure the money that comes from the taxpayers is spent in a way that is absolutely consistent with our mission,” said SSEF Administrator Sarah Katherman. 

Past community organizations that have received SSEF grants include Integrated Community, Northwest Colorado Health, Opera Steamboat, Partners in Routt County, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, Junior Achievement, Steamboat Dance Theatre, STARS, Steamboat Reading, NW Colorado BOCES, Strings Music Festival and Yampatika. 

The grant process, up until a few years ago, was based on a reimbursement system. The SSEF has since shifted to a more categorical program. The transition resulted in less “red-tape” for the districts to have to cut through to access funding. At the end of each school year, the EFB reviews information regarding allocated grants with a lens towards results in regards to positive impacts on student achievement.

Once the SSEF annual budget is set, the funds are allocated, with approximately 79% being directed to  the SSSD, 5% to HSD, 4% to both SRSD and Steamboat Montessori School, 4% allocated to all non-profit community groups, 3.5% for grant writers within the districts, and .5% for administrative costs. 

For school districts, the funds are generally allocated towards student-facing staff, curriculum and materials, technology and capital and/or special projects. 

Community groups apply for reimbursement grants through a competitive process. Applications are submitted with descriptions of the amount needed and the program it is going to be utilized for. All programs are performed within the schools. After the programs are completed, the entities that offered the program are reimbursed for the amount that was awarded. 

The school grants are a block style, where funds are awarded up front and the district then reports on how the funds were spent.

The SSEF distributes requested amounts four to five times annually. At the end of the school year, the recipients provide detailed accountability reports that describe exactly how the funds were spent.

“Every year is a little bit different in terms of how the districts decide to divide up their money,” said Katherman. “But, I would say the majority is almost always on student-facing staff.”

In the earlier years of the SSEF, it was mostly utilized for enhancements to the education environment, which generally meant technology and filling in gaps in programming. 

Now, the SSEF has become a necessary component of district operations. One example of this would be the 10% of the Steamboat Springs student-facing staff that has resulted from allocations from the SSEF. 

“It’s not extra anymore. It’s an integral part of their budget,” said Katherman. “The districts really depend on that money to provide the staff that they need to keep class sizes where they want them and to provide the technology that is expected for them to have in the districts now.” 

The ballot initiatives that continue to support the fund show an overwhelming support amongst Steamboat Springs voters, with an almost 80% affirmative vote being achieved in the last ballot cycle. 

The meetings of the SSEF are public, with five or six meetings being held every year. The efficient processes of the organization result in administrative and operational costs being minimized as all possible funds are directed at schools and organizations. 

“We are really good stewards of the money,” closed Katherman. “I think that’s something the taxpayers need to know. This tax really does go almost directly to the schools. It passes through a volunteer board and then the schools get [needed funding].”

In November, Steamboat Locals’ writer John Camponeschi will be presenting a four-part series of stories that dive deeper into the ways that the SSSD, and other Yampa Valley schools, are providing the best possible education for students with limited resources.

Read Part 1 – Steamboat Springs School District

Read Part 2 – Hayden Valley School District

Read Part 3 – South Routt County School District

This series of stories is proudly presented to you by Jon Wade and The Steamboat Group as a continuation of their commitment to “Keep Steamboat Special” by supporting non-profits and events that promote a positive and ever-improving Steamboat lifestyle! You can also support their efforts simply by making a request on the Steamboat Locals Choice for Music. For every song request made in the month of November, The Steamboat Group will donate $2 to Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado, up to $500 total!