Almost $2.7 billion is being requested in statewide school-bond issues on November’s ballot — the most in state history and at a time when the economy has never been in worse shape.
Twenty-eight school districts have bond issues on the ballot, ranging from Denver’s $454 million bond to $2.2 million for schools in Ridgway in the southwestern corner of the state.
And 28 districts will seek mill-levy overrides, including $34 million for the Jefferson County Public Schools and $18 million for Cherry Creek School District.
State law requires that ballot issues and language be submitted to the county clerk and recorder 60 days before the election. That meant bond amounts had to be finalized by Sept. 5 — days before the nation became aware of the current economic crisis.
“The information we have now has changed the landscape,” said Bruce Caughey, deputy director of the Colorado Association of School Executives.
“There is a lot of uncertainty in the national marketplace,” he said. “In times of economic uncertainty, the best investment you can make is in the education facilities and programs.”
Caughey said voters should look at the ballot issues as massive public-works investments that put people to work and provide an economic engine.
“The hope is that there is some prevailing wisdom that this is a good thing for Colorado and a good thing for our economy long-term,” he said. “Good schools have a direct correlation for attracting employers.”
School districts generally have had success getting issues passed during presidential elections because of the larger turnouts.
But no recent presidential election has occurred during this type of economic turmoil, said Rudy Andras, an economist with RBC Capital Markets in Denver.
“It’s hard to know what voters will be thinking,” Andras said. “If you are presenting something that appears to be needed and has value, and you make that case persuasively, you will be successful. If you don’t make that presentation, you won’t.”
Denver Public Schools is seeking $454 million to fund critical maintenance issues, to expand its preschool facilities, to build two new schools in northeast Denver, to remodel North High School and to make several other capital improvements.
The owner of a median- priced home — $230,900 — would pay $12 more a year.
“We need to show people what we are asking for is responsible, that it’s not a wish list,” said Michael Bennet, DPS superintendent.
“The district has made a tremendous amount of progress putting our fiscal house in order, is beginning to turn the tide in student achievement and getting the enrollment back,” Bennet said. “I hope that will be in people’s minds as they come to the ballot.”
Statewide requests
School bonds on the November ballot statewide:
Construction bonds
Adams, $80 million
Alamosa, $12 million
Aspen, $12 million
Aurora, $215 million
Brighton, $125 million
Buena Vista, $22 million
Cherry Creek, $203 million
Delta, $49 million
Denver, $454 million
Douglas, $395 million
East Otero (La Junta), $4.3 million
Gunnison, $55 million
Jefferson, $350 million
Lake County, $2.5 million
Mapleton, $64 million
Meeker, $24 million
Mesa, $185 million
Monte Vista, $8.4 million
Pueblo 60, $70 million
Rangely, $13 million
Ridgway R-2, $2.2 million
Salida, $25 million
Sangre de Cristo, $4 million
Sargent, $5 million
St. Vrain, $189 million
Telluride, $18 million
Weld RE-3J, $26.5 million
Total $2.7 billion
Mill-levy overrides
Academy, $14 million
Adams 12, $9.9 million
Aspen, $4.5 million
Aurora, $14.7 million
Brighton, $3 million
Burlington, $398,978
Cherry Creek, $18 million
Colorado Springs D11, $21.7 million
Dolores RE-4A, $390,000
Douglas, $17 million
Elizabeth, $1.2 million
Five Star (Adams County 12), $9.9 million
Fountain-Fort Carson, $700,000
Harrison, $6 million
Jefferson, $34 million
Lake County, $375,000
Lewis Palmer, $2.7 million
Mapleton, $2.97 million
Meeker, $414,670
Mesa, $6 million
Monte Vista, $184,000
Ouray, $155,000
Platte Canyon, $240,000
Pueblo City 60, $17 million
Rocky Ford, $600,000
Salida, $2.5 million
St. Vrain, $16.5 million
Weld RE-3J, $1.4 million
