Aurora Public Schools

Jewell Opens New Community Library Jewell Opens New Community Library Jewell Opens New Community Library Posted 10 days ago Jewell Elementary staff, students and parents celebrated the opening of their new community library on May 9. The project was funded with mill levy dollars approved by Aurora voters in November 2012, along with a $5,000 grant from Lowe’s to create a dedicated parent section. Jewell… Read More Park Lane Advances Student Learning Park Lane Advances Student Learning with Mill Funds Park Lane Advances Student Learning with Mill Funds Posted 10 days ago Park Lane Elementary employed mill levy funds to extend the school day for 84 students, about one-third of the school’s enrollment.  The nine-week intervention program focused on providing students extra time to work on their specific needs in small group settings. Park Lane teachers monitored student… Read More Peoria Students Thrive with After-School Tutoring Peoria Students Thrive with After-School Tutoring Peoria Students Thrive with After-School Tutoring Posted 11 days ago Peoria Elementary allocated 2012 mill levy funds for an after-school tutoring program for students near proficiency. The four-month program included 85 students at all grade levels working in small groups with teachers. Learning goals focused on improving reading, language and math skills based on student… Read More Altura Connects with Students and Families Altura Connects with Students and Families Altura Connects with Students and Families Posted 11 days ago The teachers at Altura Elementary School are connecting with their students and families on a new level thanks to mill levy funds approved by voters in 2012. Staff members are visiting students in their homes outside of normal school hours. “I thought it was wonderful,” said… Read More North M.S. Targets Literacy, STEM with Mill Funds North M.S. Targets Literacy, STEM with Mill Funds North M.S. Targets Literacy, STEM with Mill Funds Posted 16 days ago North Middle School Health Science and Technology Campus uses mill levy funds for literacy, science, and math intervention for students. The mill levy funds, which were approved by Aurora voters in 2012, are improving student achievement in these critical learning areas. "We choose students to target… Read More 2012 Mill Funds at Work at Gateway 2012 Mill Funds at Work at Gateway 2012 Mill Funds at Work at Gateway Posted 16 days ago Students at Gateway High School are already benefiting from mill funds approved by Aurora voters in 2012.   This year, Gateway used funds to reduce class sizes and add classes for freshmen.  The school added more than 30 sections of instruction. Prior to the mill, most… Read More Bond and Mill Levy Funds Boost Classroom Technology Bond and Mill Levy Funds Boost Classroom Technology Bond and Mill Levy Funds Boost Classroom Technology Posted 56 days ago The bond and mill levy programs approved by Aurora voters in 2008 are funding more than $20 million in technology improvements throughout the district. Since 2008, APS has tripled the number of computers and technology devices used by students and staff. The bond-funded technology renewal program… Read More PreviousNext May 14Jewell Opens New Comm… May 14Park Lane Advances Stu… May 13Peoria Students Thrive with After-Sc… May 13Altura Connects with Students… May 9North M.S. Targets Literacy, STEM wi… May 92012 Mill Funds at Wo… Mar 29Bond and Mill Levy Funds Boost Classro…

Voters Approve Ballot Measure 3C

On November 6, Aurora voters approved ballot measure 3C, a $15 million mill levy override that will recover a portion of the $70 million in state funding cuts that Aurora Public Schools has experienced over the past three years.

“On behalf of the APS Board of Education and Leadership Team, I would like to thank voters for supporting this important ballot measure,” said APS Superintendent John L. Barry. “Our success is due to the tremendous efforts of our campaign committee, Aurora Citizens for Excellent Schools, our staff, parents and the thousands of community members who supported this measure. Because of our strong community support, every student will benefit from mill levy funding.”

The mill levy will provide funding in three key areas:

• ACHIEVEMENT: Recovering a portion of reduced state funding for reading, writing, math, science, early childhood education and more public school choices

• INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:  Recovering a portion of reduced state funding for instructional classroom technology, equipment and curriculum materials, which aid in preparing students for college and careers

• HIGH QUALITY STAFF:  Recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and staff to provide for smaller class sizes, increases in graduation rates and lower dropout rates

The election results are based on a review of unofficial county results. Official results will be available later this month.

Mill Levy Archives APS Board of Education Authorizes 2012 Mill Levy Override Ballot Question Read more.  2010-11 Bond/Mill Levy Community Report Now Available To learn more about the status of APS bond and mill levy projects, view the 2010-11 Bond/Mill Levy Community Report.

2008  Mill Levy Override

Thanks to APS voters who approved a mill levy override in November 2008, APS is able to fund several key educational programs that benefit students. The mill levy provides $14.7 million annually to support programs to accelerate student achievement.

Funds will benefit APS students and staff by providing:

• Full-day kindergarten at APS non-charter elementary, P-8 and K-8 schools
• Instructional technology that will help prepare students for 21st century learning
• Truancy intervention to ensure that every student is in class every day
• Fifth Block—an additional 23 days of instruction for 10 percent of APS students
• Pilot Schools start-up—innovative schools that offer unique learning opportunities
• Positive Behavior Support to reward students for productive actions
• International Baccalaureate programs that provide students a global education
• APS charter school technology funds that will help prepare students for 21st century learning

In addition, the mill levy provided a two percent salary increase for all APS staff members in January 2009, allowing APS to retain and attract highly-qualified staff.

The District Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) will review mill levy override spending annually at its public budget hearing held in May.

To view the mill levy budget allocation, visit:
http://finance.aurorak12.org/files/2009/06/mill-override.pdf.