Aurora Public Schools saved $29 million on projects funded with a $215 million bond approved by voters in 2008, the district announced Thursday.
Last month, the APS school board approved the allocation of the $29 million in savings to several new projects — $24 million going to more construction projects and $5 million for technology updates.
“Our philosophy has been to really touch on every school with these projects,” said Rebecca Herbst, bond communication specialist.
By August 2014, when all projects are completed, all 56 APS schools will have received a portion of the bond money.
The bulk of the construction funds from the savings, however, will be used to expand four elementary schools, adding a total of 300 additional seats.
Construction will start this fall to give Tollgate Elementary a complete building remodel. Sixth Avenue Elementary, Kenton Elementary and Side Creek Elementary each get two new classrooms.
“Three hundred more seats is very good for us, at least for now,” chief operating officer Anthony Sturges said. “We’re seeing many families moving into APS because we have such affordable housing right now. We’re just exploding in these areas, so these additions are a Band-Aid in the long run.”
The $5 million from savings allocated for technology will help APS replace 7-year-old desktop computers with new laptops, netbooks and iPads. Network connectivity also will be improved.
APS does not have plans to ask voters to approve another bond.
The district was not alone in bond savings, as it was a result of the economy and financial management.
“It’s what we’ve all been seeing,” Sturges said. “We received really good pricing on our construction bids.”
Recently, Denver Public Schools also announced additional projects with $90 million in savings from its $454 million bond project.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com
