Denver Public Schools is asking voters for permission to borrow a record amount of money — nearly $1 billion — in the Nov. 5 election via Ballot Issue 4A.
District officials have said the bond is needed to upgrade and repair aging buildings and to build a new school in the far northeast part of the city. DPS is Colorado’s largest school district and operates on an annual budget of more than $1 billion.
What would 4A do if passed?
The ballot measure asks voters to approve a $975 million bond, which the district will put toward maintenance projects, safety measures and other projects. The money will also install air conditioning in more than two dozen Denver schools that still don’t have cooling.
DPS officials have said that taxes will not increase if the bond passes because older debt is getting paid off, freeing up repayment capacity. If voters don’t approve the measure, then property taxes will decrease for homeowners and commercial real estate owners.
Where would the money go?
A breakdown of the bond issue’s planned spending:
- $301 million for critical maintenance at 154 buildings across the city, including mechanical, electrical, code and plumbing renovations
- $240 million to install air conditioning at 29 schools
- $124 million for new facilities, including a new school in the far northeast and an expansion of the Responsive Arts and STEAM Academy
- $127 million to upgrade 12 middle and high school performing arts hubs, three innovation centers and 14 athletic facilities
- $100 million to improve learning environments at 136 schools
- $83 million for safety and technology, including adding 17 secure vestibules
What do supporters say?
Supporters say that without the bond, DPS would need to use money that would otherwise go for educator pay and classroom instruction to cover maintenance, upgrades and improvements.
The maintenance projects also will affect student achievement, supporters say, by improving classrooms for children and teachers and by reducing class sizes and school overcrowding. Air conditioning also is needed in older classrooms, where temperatures can reach as high as 92 degrees during the school day.
What do opponents say?
Others argue that the DPS bond issue is too big and prevents property owners from receiving a tax decrease. Opponents also say DPS should pay for many items included in the proposal from its general fund, and that with K-12 enrollment declining, schools should consolidate students into already-updated buildings.
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