Both. The systemic defunding of schools over the past two decades has eroded both local and state support. Ultimately, our students won’t get the quality education and opportunities they need to succeed until we fix Colorado’s broken funding system at the state level. Pending that state action, it is more than understandable that districts choose to go to their voters with Mill Levy Override (MLO) ballot questions, to add funding on top of what little the state provides through the school finance act. Every community (and school) has to do what it can to protect students from the impact of deeper cuts. It is important to recognize, however, that different communities have differing capacities to raise meaningful funds through MLOs.  Because affluent communities benefit from larger property tax bases, it is easier for them to raise significant sums with smaller mill rate increases.  By contrast, for districts with low property wealth, even large increases in mill levy rates can’t add much to their operating budgets.  Ultimately, only a statewide solution can provide adequate and equitable funding to all Colorado students.