St. Vrain Valley and Boulder Valley School Districts bond issues pass

Two important education items on the Nov. 8 ballot were the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) bond issue for capital improvements and the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) mill levy override for operational expenses. Both were approved by voters.

The SVVSD $260 million bond measure, which passed 61.88 percent to 38.12 percent by district voters in Boulder County, will address critical student and school needs. It includes various renovations throughout the district, additions to existing schools and building of new schools.

A community task force evaluated district needs, including construction issues due to large growth in the district, safety issues and needed repairs. In an earlier interview, Superintendent Don Haddad noted that the bond money would not go toward employees’ salaries or hiring new people.

According to a statement by SVVSD, the money is slated to go toward three new schools, an Innovation Center, classroom additions, building maintenance and security improvements. Sixty-eight percent of the bond money will go toward the building of new schools and additions. The approved bond means a temporary increase in property taxes, approximately less than $2 per month for every $100,000 worth of home.

“It’s a tremendous thing. I couldn’t be more thankful for the community,” SVVSD Superintendent Don Haddad said. “It’s something that will make very, very noticeable changes… Niwot Elementary will be getting renovated in various ways with a new parking lot and cameras for safety. Niwot High School will be getting a new high tech library and major amenities to [its] auditorium. It’s going to take us to the next stage as far as growth and everything else, and really be a special thing for our kids, community and teachers.”

The BVSD operational mill levy was approved 61.21 percent to 38.79 percent by district residents. The levy will support the district’s current construction, technology and maintenance expenses.

Levy funding would support the $33.4 million annual technology and maintenance expenses and allow the district to put money freed up from the maintenance budgets toward improving student services.

Additional funding will go toward hiring over 60 new teachers to fill new classrooms created by the 2014 BVSD bond measure. The estimated impact of the mill levy on taxpayers in the first year would be $14/year per $100,000 of actual property value.

“I am very pleased with the support of taxpayers approving the operational levy for Boulder Valley School District,” BVSD Superintendent Bruce Messinger said. “Passage of the levy will provide resources needed to maintain the present level of educational services for students and address the operational needs of the school district. Strong support of public education in the Boulder Valley School District benefits students, families, business and the entire community.”