LOVELAND — Jason Hatch, chairman of the master plan school committee, urged members of the Thompson School District board to “be bold” and support a $300 million bond issue that would pay for a plan to build new schools and remodel and consolidate others.
“Let’s go to the community,” Hatch said at a school board meeting. “Why not? If you don’t try, the answer is ‘no.’ “
The plan calls for a new Loveland High School ($150 million), a new kindergarten through eighth grade school east of Interstate 25 that follows the High Plains model ($34 million), remodels to other schools including to convert the current Loveland High into a K-8, and $38 million in repairs to schools throughout the district.
The plan also calls for a more extensive remodel to Thompson Valley High ($20 million), $1.1 million for charter school facilities and a multipurpose outbuilding at Berthoud High School ($11 million).
Hatch warned board members the district needs to spend $38 million in maintenance and said nearly 2,000 students who live in the district are attending school in neighboring districts because of school locations, facilities and programs available.
The school board has not decided whether to go to the voters for a bond issue as well as a mill levy override, which it also is considering so it can offer more competitive salaries. Some board members have expressed concern about asking for both, worrying that if the district asks for too much, voters will defeat both measures.
Discussion on the possibilities has just begun. Board members at last week’s meeting said they like the plan and the specific costs outlined so voters will know exactly what they would be buying if they approve a bond issue.
Board member Denise Montagu prefers to go for the gold, to have facilities that attract people to events and schools within the district.
“We have, in the past, been guilty of not going bold or have been afraid to go big enough or do that extra,” she said. “We as a community, for the last several years, have sent the message that we don’t have a lot of pride in our schools and what’s taking place in our buildings. It’s a clear message.”
Board members asked for more information, including a projection of student population growth before making a decision.
That data should be available by the end of May.
Board member Jeff Swanty said it is important to listen to community members and to the master plan committee members who are a reflection of the community.
“It’s our job to listen to the community, then go back to the community with a reaffirmation of a vote,” he said.
