Senate Bill provides $266M to replace school mascot symbols

The School Finance Act is headed to the governor, although not without some last-minute protests from progressive Democrats who argued against the money set aside in the measure for schools that shelled out thousands of dollars to replace mascot symbols.

Senate Bill 287 provides $266 million to cover the state’s share of expenses for the 178 school districts.

That raises the per-pupil funding by 8%, to $8,076.41. Rural and small rural districts also get a $30 million boost, with 55% going to rural districts and 45% to small rural districts.

The bill also contains $300,000 for schools that had to replace Indian mascots, and that drew complaints from Democrats, who said the money ought to go to schools that serve indigenous students.

“We are rewarding governments for disrespecting indigenous communities,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Adams County.

Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, said the schools knew the law was coming. “Have we given any dollars directly to indigenous communities?” she asked. Those communities made no money off the selling of their likeness, she added.

The bill passed on a 52-10 vote, with 10 Republicans voting “no.” Rep. Richard Holtorf, R-Akron, voted in favor of the measure.

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