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With less than a month to go before the Sept. 5 deadline for local ballot issues, many school districts around the state are preparing to ask their voters for both construction funds and operating revenue.
The Aurora school board this week approved two ballot measures, and the Denver board took a hard look at a proposal.
Here’s rundown on some of what’s happening around the state.
Aurora
The proposals include a five-year bond issue to raise $215 million for new schools and improvements, including $53.75 million for a new high school and $27.25 million for a new K-8 school. There’s already been criticism because the plan would provide only $750,000 for charter-school improvements. The bonds would not require a tax increase.
The proposed mill levy hike – costing about $120 a year in additional taxes on a $200,000 home – would raise almost $15 million a year in new operating money that would provide employee raises, full-day kindergarten, new programs and technology improvements across the district. It would be the first mill levy increase for the district since 1990.
Click here for a district video on the proposals.
Cherry Creek
Unlike most other districts, the board voted back on April 14 to propose two measures to voters.
The bonds would provide $203 million for renovation of 14 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, system upgrades at 50 schools and facilities and construction of three elementary schools.
The mill-levy override would generate $18 million for operating expenses, including maintenance of current class sizes.
The bond and budget election would cost the owner of an “average” home in the district about $5 per month in additional property taxes. (District materials don’t define what average means.)
Click here for more information.
Denver
The board of education is considering a $453.5 million, 20-year bond to pay for health and safety updates, maintenance, two new schools in northeast Denver and renovation of historic North High School. The estimated taxpayer cost would be $6 a year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. Denver's median home value is $230,900. The board is to vote on Sept. 2. (We couldn't find any information on the district website.)
Douglas County
The district is considering both a bond issue and an override that could cost the owner of a $372,000 home $208 more a year in taxes.
Click here for more information. (There’s lots there, but it’s hard to navigate.)
Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Board of Education is scheduled to vote Aug. 31 whether to put two measures on the November ballot.
The first of will likely be a bond issue for $350 million, which would go toward school construction and remodeling. Taxes would not be raised, but an existing tax would be continued. The district passed a bond issue in 2004.
The second question may be a mill levy increase that would cost homeowners between $2 and $3 per $100,000 in home value per month. The extra revenue would be used to maintain class sizes and for teacher training.
Click here for more details.
Elsewhere
(This list is by no means exhaustive, but Education News will be covering and reporting on bond and tax plans through and beyond Sept. 5.)
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