Senator Zenzinger’s Bill Supporting Community Schools Heads to Governor Polis

March 19, 2019

Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today voted 23-6 (with 6 excused) to pass SB19-102, Innovation School Operating As A Community School, a bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that would allow a public school to include operation as a community school in its innovation plan, making it eligible for millions of dollars in federal funding. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis for signature.

“Every student deserves a high-quality education, but too many don’t have a fair shot at success because of a lack of school funding,” said Senator Zenzinger. “The bill costs us zero dollars, but makes us eligible for $22 billion from the federal government that we can now access by simply mentioning community schools in our statutes."

Under existing law, a public school may become an innovation school by submitting an innovation plan to its local school board and having the local school board approve that plan. The bill defines "community school" and permits a public school to include in its innovation plan that it will operate as a community school.

"This bill is one of the most important that I have passed during my time in the legislature and I look forward to Governor Polis signing it into law,” added Senator Zenzinger.

For more information on SB19-102, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-102.

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