$975 million bond for DPS schools goes to Denver voters

Denver voters will decide on the largest bond issue in Denver Public Schools history this November.

The Education Committee unanimously approved the $975 million measure on Thursday and put it to a vote.

The bond is a one-time investment in capital projects that was approved after careful review by a group of 72 community members.

There would be no tax increases and it would fund costs for air conditioning, safety improvements, upgrades and several middle and high schools, including upgrades to athletic facilities, career and technical training, new school buses and essential maintenance.

The most expensive item in the package – $300 million – is for maintenance of 154 buildings. On average, DPS facilities are 55 years old.

Then, $240 million will be allocated to air conditioning the 21,000 students in 29 buildings without air conditioning. This also means that 20 more buildings must be equipped with climate-friendly temperature variations – one of the top priorities of student representatives.

Third, $124 million will be allocated to build new schools, including a new elementary school in far northeast Denver and the expansion of a campus near the airport.

The bond also includes:

• 100 million US dollars for school upgrades that would include modernization of outdoor classrooms, cafeterias, restrooms, and a new health clinic.
• 55 million US dollars is for technology, including Chromebook classroom kits for grades K-5 that will replace student and teacher devices and hotspots that will give students internet access at home.
• 51 million US dollars for specialized career and technical education programs such as aerospace engineering and other fields. It includes money for performing arts centers and theater and auditorium upgrades at South and Manual high schools.
• 28 million US dollars for security improvements so that schools can have secure entrances where visitors are screened before entry, including at several large high schools. It also includes weapons detection and crisis communication systems.
• 33 million US dollars for the modernization of the sports fields of ten schools.

The city’s voters have approved bonds in the last four presidential election years.

Several local civic organizations have supported the bond measure. Denver Families for Public Schools, a nonprofit that conducts civic action campaigns and whose board is made up of charter school leaders, supports the measure.

The nonprofit released a poll in July showing that the majority of Denver voters surveyed would support the bond measure.