colorado school district pushing for big facility construction and renovation bond

With nearly half of its more than one hundred elementary, middle, and high schools built in the 1960s or earlier, the Jefferson County Public Schools system is facing a challenge.

It needs to both update its many facilities while outright building three new elementary schools.

The problem is that the last time the Golden, Colorado-based district asked voters to approve a bond for facility construction and upgrading in 2016, it was decisively defeated.

In fact, district voters have not approved such a measure since 2004 when they passed a $323 million bond for facility improvements.

Despite that track record, the board of the Jefferson County school system has agreed to put on this November’s ballot a $567 million bond designed to not only pay for the three new elementary schools, but also fund upgrade efforts at every school in the district.

If passed, that bond will also pay for facility additions at nine elementary schools and three high schools.

The new construction projects will see the $19.9 million replacement of the Marshdale Elementary School; the replacement of the Kendrick Lakes Elementary School at $22.2 million; and the $22.1 million replacement of the Prospect Valley Elementary School.

With more than 85,000 students enrolled in the Jefferson County school system, it now makes up the second largest district in the state, just behind the Denver Public Schools system with around 90,000 students.

By Garry Boulard

---