COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Colorado Association of School Boards is meeting in Colorado Springs to brainstorm about how best to handle millions of dollars in budget cuts.

But the meeting place, the five-star Broadmoor Resort, is raising eyebrows among some taxpayers.

"It's too expensive," said Shelly Zobolas, while shopping in Highlands Ranch.

"I think it's a waste of money," said Lisa Gouran. "As tight as the budgets are across the state right now, I don't think the Broadmoor is where they need to meet."

But association president Bill Bregar told 7NEWS that for the size of the convention, 1,100 people, "the very best rates that we could find statewide are here at the Broadmoor."

Bregar said the association has had a 46-year relationship with the Colorado Springs resort.

"There are probably locations where we could go and maybe the room rates would be better, but the total package (including meeting space) is really better here," Bregar said.

A total of 152 of Colorado's 178 school boards are taking part in the convention.

The vice president of the Jefferson County school board told 7NEWS that the convention is vital especially to new school board members.

Jane Barnes said, "In Jefferson County we have a $700,000,000 operating budget. For somebody who's new, that's a big deal. They were elected in November and have to make decisions on where to cut the budget and which schools to close by January."

When asked if they could meet somewhere else less expensive to make those decisions, Barnes replied, "I've asked that very question. I can tell you CASB has been coming to the Broadmoor for many years. They have great rates for us."

Barnes said the organization has looked at other venues, including the Colorado Convention Center.

"The convention center is not an inexpensive place to hold a conference," she said. "We found that this is the most cost effective place to do that."

"I would like them to be accountable for where they meet," said Douglas County resident Lynette Druva. "I think education issues need to be addressed, but I think board members need to be role models and consider how they're spending our tax dollars."

When asked if she had any suggestions for school board members, Druva said, "I would suggest they come back and let us know what the results are. I would definitely want it to be a productive meeting."