Adams 12 Five Star Schools has been working with stakeholders to identify needs and priorities for over two years. After this final effort to collect input from the community from April – July 2024, the Board of Education referred two questions to the November ballot on August 28. Their decision was informed by all the input collected throughout the Blueprint process, which launched in August 2021.

The Board of Education considered two options and on August 28 ultimately referred both to the November ballot. The two questions include a bond to borrow up to $830 million to fund facilities investments and a mill levy override to collect an additional $34.5 million in property taxes to fund programming investments. The bond will not result in a tax increase; the mill levy override would increase property taxes. For a home valued at $500,000, a property owner would pay an additional ~$20/month.

There are a number of benefits to investing in public education. Adams 12 Five Star Schools is the largest employer in Adams County with nearly 5,000 full- and part-time teachers, principals, office staff, counselors, nurses, custodians, and more contributing to the economy. Additionally, providing a high-quality education prepares students to contribute to the workforce and their communities. The district offers 25 pathways that help students explore career interests and obtain training and certifications to give them a head start when they leave high school. With a graduation rate of 86.4 percent, the district is exceeding the state average.

Yes, any funding initiative(s) needed to implement Blueprint will include district-authorized charters.

In 2012, Colorado voters approved the legal sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older with a portion of the tax revenue going to education. The amount of tax revenue that comes from marijuana sales is minimal – around 1% of the state’s total education budget – and is directed to a variety of programs, including school construction, bullying prevention, and behavioral health.

The first $40 million generated each fiscal year from retail marijuana excise tax goes to the Colorado Capital Construction Assistance Fund. For perspective, the Colorado Department of Education estimates $20 billion in capital construction needs in the nearly 2,000 Colorado public schools. That $40 million each year addresses .2% of the estimated need statewide.

The limited amount of money from the state is awarded through the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant program which prioritizes health, safety and security issues such as asbestos removal, new roofs, building code violations, and poor indoor quality. BEST grants are competitive and often must be supplemented with local district matching funds.

Source: Colorado Department of Education

www.cde.state.co.us/communications/2021marijuanare...

www.cde.state.co.us/communications/capitalconstruction-factsheet

A bond is a type of loan. A financial institution sells a bond and lends funds to the district for one-time capital / construction projects. The district pays off the bond, and interest, over a specific period of time – typically 20 to 30 years. It’s similar to a homeowner borrowing against a mortgage to fund renovation projects.

Voters approved a $350 million bond package in November 2016 to fund the construction of new schools, provide new educational opportunities and make critical repairs and upgrades to existing schools and facilities. This was the first time since 2004 that voters passed a capital funding measure, which led to the successful completion of over 50 major construction projects throughout the district in five years. In July of 2023 the district paid off additional principal from this bond early — saving taxpayers over $38 million in interest payments. Learn more by viewing the Bond Final Report.

The district plans on constructing the new Thornton High School on school grounds next to the existing building in phases. This means that Thornton High School’s current building would be fully operational until the new building was completed, at which point the old building would be demolished. To maintain the learning environment and ensure safety, physical separation will exist between construction and school zones.

The district anticipates design would begin in early 2025 and the start of construction in mid to late 2026, depending on state and city approvals. The district plans on a 4-year construction schedule from the first shovel going into the ground to the last stripe being painted on the parking lot.

During construction, no changes to student enrollment are anticipated, as the school would remain open and occupied during the project.

A mill levy override is an increase of the previous voter-approved tax rate (mill levy). Due to the Taxpayers Bill Of Rights (TABOR), taxing districts in Colorado are required to ask voters about any increases that affect property taxes. Funding from property taxes can be used for teacher salaries, academic programming, classroom supplies, and more.

Among some of the largest metro area school districts, the Five Star District ranks 13th in mill levy override dollars per pupil. This includes:

1. Englewood
2. Boulder
3. Denver
4. Littleton
5. Sheridan
6. Westminster
7. Cherry Creek
8. Aurora
9. Mapleton
10. St. Vrain
11. Douglas County
12. Jefferson County