By Mary Headley   

On Nov. 6 voters will decide on ballot issue 3A, the largest school bond proposal in Colorado history. The St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) is asking for $353 million over the next ten years to spend on building 10 new schools, renovating existing schools, improving support facilities and adding new athletic/event facilities (see sidebar table page 16). 

In a series of public meetings, school board personnel presented the proposal, fielded questions and listened to concerns. Dr. Ken Kirkland, the district’s assistant superintendent for business services, noted that this effort represents an important milestone in school board planning. 

Traditionally, he said, school boards wait until there is a pressing need for more capital and then ask for a bond. Instead of waiting until existing schools are over-crowded and facilities are in critical need of repair, the SVVSD School Board decided to plan 10 years out. 

Kirkland said, "The district needs to be more proactive to get ahead of growth trends," and cited the tremendous growth recently, especially that of Erie and the Tri-Town area of Dacono, Firestone, and Frederick. 

To facilitate long-range planning, Kirkland said the board met with town planning departments to get realistic enrollment projections, which include 5,000 new students over the next 10 years. The board also asked all district schools to prioritize their projected needs. 

From these lists, a comprehensive ten-year plan was developed that calls for spending $167 million immediately, and the authorization to spend an additional $186 million. This plan gives the board some flexibility in determining how quickly to spend the additional funds, depending on how the projected needs evolve. If the bond passes, the school board will form an oversight committee to make sure future bonds issues spend the money on what was promised.

Although there appeared to be near unanimous agreement on the need for new schools and improvements to existing ones, residents at the school board public meetings brought up several issues. First, concern was raised about senior citizens living on fixed incomes. The bond will be funded by a one-time mil levy increase of 5.5 mils. The district also promises to keep the tax increase steady over the life of the bond. For a $246,000 home, the average area home price, this means an annual tax increase of $123, or about $10 a month. School Board Vice President Rick Samson stated some senior citizens would get tax relief because of Colorado’s recent homestead exemption. 

Also discussed was the proposed $9.5 million swimming pool, which would be jointly funded and operated with the City of Longmont. The 8-lane, 50-meter pool would be used by all district schools for competitive swimming during certain hours, and open to the public at other times. The pool’s location is still under discussion, but a site south of Silver Creek High School is being considered. 

Brad Jolly questioned spending this much money on a pool instead of on academics. Jolly also questioned whether the city government was prepared to pay for heating and maintaining a large pool and how effectively the school board and the city government could jointly manage the pool. 

Kirkland acknowledged that the details of the joint funding and operation have not been completed, but expressed confidence that this was not an insurmountable problem. Samson noted that many people feel the pool is important for attracting new businesses and employees to the area. 

School Board President Kathy Hall noted that the Loveland School District has committed to providing pools. One parent, whose son is on a swim team, noted the area’s dire lack of pools, stating that her son has to get up at 4 a.m. to get practice time.   The proposed $8.1 million district stadium, to be located on 16 acres near Sunset Avenue and Ken Pratt Boulevard, would serve four area high schools. Dave Sullivan, co-chair of Yes on St. Vrain Valley Schools campaign, stated the new facility would be cheaper than adding fields and bleachers to each new school. Many voiced support for the new stadium, both to provide a modern, district-wide facility and to relieve congestion at the over-used Everly Montgomery stadium at Longmont High School. 

Others expressed concern over the increased number of teenagers in the area, extra traffic and the additional parking needed. Samson stated that the proposed location is in a commercial area, unlike the residential area around Longmont High. Besides the new 1,100-seat stadium and immediate parking, additional parking will be available at the nearby Career Development Center and Sunset Middle School. Finally, Samson noted this stadium has been openly planned for several years and should not come as a surprise to homeowners.

The proposed $1.3 million multipurpose events center/ teen activity building will be built under the bleachers of the new stadium. Its primary use will be for major school district and community events, and for weekend teen activities. Lori Lindemann stated, "The only place our teens can go today to be with their friends is the mall—which I don’t necessarily think is so great."

Some Indian Peaks’ parents questioned the need to build a new school, rather than renovate the existing one. School officials pointed out that it was more cost-effective to build a new $8.5 million Indian Peaks Elementary, located in the Creekside subdivision, than try to make all the upgrades to the 25-year-old school. "They basically needed to gut the school," said Indian Peaks Principal Julie McVicker, who noted that existing school boundaries would not be affected. After some renovations, the board plans to use the existing Indian Peaks facility as a larger site for the growing Ute Creek Charter School. 

"We have had lots of verbal support for this bond proposal," notes Jennie White, co-chair of Yes on St. Vrain Valley Schools campaign. "Now we need people to actively promote it." Proponents can help by signing an endorsement card, putting posters in their yard or donating money. For the bond proposal to pass, about 14,300 residents need to vote yes.

Samson urges a yes vote on 3A. He stated, "Give us the opportunity to be most foresighted school district in the state of Colorado."

To obtain more information about the bond, contact Nancy Herbert, SVVSD Public Information Officer, at 303-682-7213. Copies of the detailed plan, "2001 Bond Projects Long-Range Comprehensive Facility Plan," are available from that office. Information is also available at the SVVSD Web site of http:/www.stvrain.k12.co.us/Bond_issue/bondinfo.htm. 

If you are interested in actively supporting the bond effort, contact Jennie White at 970-535-0869 or Dave Sullivan at 303-828-3823. The SVVSD School Board will be at Niwot High School Booster Club on Monday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. and at Burlington Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. to answer questions concerning the Nov. 6 bond issue. To schedule additional presentations call Dawn Hobson at 303-681-7202.