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Other school districts likely to go to voters, too

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 20, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated June 20, 2008 at 1:03 a.m.

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Several metro-area school districts plan to ask voters for more money in bond issues this fall or are considering such a move.

A survey of districts besides Denver found one, Cherry Creek, that has committed to a bond issue and at least four others - Douglas, Jefferson, Aurora and Adams 12 Five Star - that are looking seriously at that option.

An official for the Colorado Association of School Boards said it isn't surprising that some of the larger districts are considering such a move.

"What the boards of education tell us is that they have put off fixing their buildings as long as they can," said Jane Urschell, the association's deputy executive director.

"I think very often we have the mistaken impression that the larger districts have newer buildings and are able to keep them up to date," she added.

A bill signed last month by Gov. Bill Ritter will leverage up to $1 billion from the School Land Permanent Trust Fund to build new K-12 schools and repair aging facilities statewide.

Much of that money, however, will go to districts that are facing dire health and safety issues in their buildings, she said.

ensslinj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5291

Bond issues review

A brief review of where various metro-area school districts stand with bond issues this fall:

CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT

$203 million is the figure that the Cherry Creek school board voted on April 14 to address long-term costs, including renovation of 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools built between 1958 and 1982. If the measure fails, district officials predict a $12 million shortfall for the 2009-10 school year.

ADAMS COUNTY DISTRICT 12 FIVE STAR * The district indicated this week that it will reach a decision on a bond issue by its Aug. 20 meeting, spokeswoman Janelle Albertson said. She said the district has had to cut it budget in the past three years by $16 million, an amount equal to the cost of running six elementary schools for a full year.

AURORA

* The Aurora School Board agreed this week to look into whether to seek a bond issue, spokeswoman Paula Hans said. The district will do some polling with the public before reaching a decision Aug. 5.

DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS

* District spokeswoman Whei Wong said that the board is "still in the consideration stage for both a bond and budget measure for November 2008." A decision is expected by mid-August, she said.

JEFFCO

* Jefferson County Schools spokeswoman Melissa Reeves said that the board also expects to reach a decision in August. The district is considering two ballot issues. One is a bond of between $323 million and $350 million to rebuild and repair eight high schools, four middle schools and 70 elementary schools. Some funds also might go for building two new schools in Lakewood and Arvada. The board also is contemplating a mill levy override of between $32 million and $36 million.

Comments

  • June 24, 2008

    6:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shadow writes:

    Here we go again. We need money to fix the schools. Why? Where is all the money that is ear marked for this already going? Oh wait it goes to pay for all that time off the faculty and administration gets.

    How many jobs give an employee close to four months a year off. Then allows them to strike and say they don't get paid enough. While actively going after and working second jobs during this "vacation" time. A job that allows tenure and an almost imposible system to fire those who DO NOT DO THEIR JOB.

    How many times do the tax payers have to reach into their pockets to give more and more money for this. It is the never ending story with these guys.

    I suggest that they stop paying them over the ummer and use this money to fix what they are supposed to be upkeeping in the first place. I also suggest that someone with a little common sense be put in charge of these projects to bring them in on time and budget.

    How many of these new schools have we seen being built theb before they are opened we see them bring in temporary buildings. Saying that growth is more than anticipated? How about building the schools a little larger in anticipation of this.

    Nope, not done. Got to keep coming back to the tax payer for more money so that they can have bigger raises and more nonessential crap.

  • July 6, 2008

    11:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    fastnloose writes:

    Let school districts do what every other sector of society is doing now.CUT BACK,DO WITHOUT.Every time they run short,they say it is for the kids,yet every one of the employees can tell you what their retirement will be.Generations of people learned in a one room ,fifty year old building.With the teacher standing up front with a piece of chalk and a blackboard.Many,many of these people have done brilliant in life.