In July 2016, RTA Architects conducted a comprehensive facilities study that outlined the condition of our school buildings, which resulted in the Board of Education approving the selection of the Planning Assistance Team (PAT) -- a diverse group of community members -- to research the findings and provide recommendations on how to proceed.

 

The PAT met 13 times over the course of a year and in April 2018 finalized a proposed vision or master plan that outlined a possible course of action. The group carefully considered factors such as safety and security, major sustaining capital improvements (not upkeep and maintenance) needed for aging buildings, increasing enrollment numbers, BEST grant requirements, and other items that influenced their final decision. 

 

The following is a list of FAQs generated by the PAT's work over the course of this past year. If you have a question that is not answered in the list, please send it to ASD Communications Specialist Kim Elzinga at kelzinga@pagosa.k12.co.us. Please note: Similar questions are answered with a single response. If you do not see the exact wording of your question, look for a similar FAQ. 

 

 

Archuleta School District seeks to address its highest priority capital facility needs, including replacing the aging elementary school and addressing upgrades to the middle school and high school. Over the past nine years, state funding to the District has been cut by a total of $11 million. Funds are not available to address these facility needs.

 

Yes, the District has applied for three grants from the State’s Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program that, if awarded in full, would provide 39% of the total cost of the proposed capital facility improvements. This equates to almost $15 million. 

 

The District would be responsible for funding a 61% match, or about $34.4 million. Without available reserves to address the required match, the District is proposing to seek a voter-approved bond measure. 

 

There is a long line of Colorado school districts seeking BEST grants. The District could re-apply, but it is unlikely these funds would be awarded.

 

Payments on the current bond will expire in December 2020.

 

The District is looking to address its highest priority operating needs, including recruiting and retaining teachers and staff, expanding full-day kindergarten opportunities and hiring three school resource officers to improve school safety and security. 

 

Over the past 68 years, we have had no MLOs approved. This creates a competitive disadvantage with other districts of our size and within our region.

What challenges does the District face regarding recruiting and retaining teachers?

Other Colorado school districts that have obtained voter-approved MLO funding are aggressively recruiting seasoned teachers throughout the state by providing higher pay and benefits. When we lose teachers, it is very expensive to recruit and train new ones. Losing experienced teachers also has an impact on student performance and lowers teacher morale.  

 

Research shows that full-day kindergarten provides many benefits, including higher long-term achievement, higher reading scores in early grades, higher self esteem, and other positive outcomes.

 

What is the difference between a bond measure and mill levy override measure?  

The proceeds of a voter-approved bond measure go toward bricks and mortar type projects, whereas a voter-approved mill levy typically goes toward ongoing operations.

 

The proposal calls for the replacement of the existing elementary school with a new school sized to serve Pre-K through 5th Grade. Improvements to the middle school would focus on health, life-safety, security and ADA accessibility. The updated middle school would serve grades 6th through 8th. Safety and security improvements would also be addressed at the high school as well as the construction of a Career & Technical Education building and an additional gymnasium. 

 

 

Facility challenges at the elementary school outweigh those at the middle school, especially with regard to the lack of space. For example, lunch periods start at 10:30am at the elementary school because there is simply not enough space to accommodate all students at normal lunch hours.

 

Some of the many anticipated benefits include:

• Improving safety and security district-wide

• Extending the useful life of the middle school and high school

• Improving accessibility for students, staff, parents and visitors with disabilities

• Enhancing energy efficiencies, saving taxpayer dollars

• Reducing costly emergency repairs, saving taxpayer dollars

• Further enhancing property values

• Reducing costly teacher turnover

• Leveraging instructional technology, promoting collaboration in the classroom, and aligning teaching methods with 21st century skills

 

The District’s bond and MLO proposals represent many months of planning, including extensive assistance from numerous community members, business, education and civic leaders, and other stakeholders. 

 

If one or more BEST grants is awarded, the District will want to capture these funds. Furthermore, construction and borrowing costs continue to go up. The longer the District waits to address its highest priority capital facility needs, the more it will cost. There is also a strong need to make our schools safer and more secure and reduce teacher turnover.

 

As part of future community outreach meetings and mail survey, the District will be seeking the public’s input on this important question. If grant monies are not awarded, the District’s safety, security and other needs do not go away. The Board of Education will make the final decision regarding a bond and MLO.

 

With the BEST grant, the estimated tax impact of a 20-year, $34.46 million bond (the required matching funds) is $5.59 per month per $100,000 of a home’s actual value (as determined by the County Assessor), or about $67.09 per year. Without the BEST grant, the tax impact of a 20-year, $49.46 million bond would be $6.26 per month per $100,000 of a home’s actual value.  

 

The estimated tax impact of the $1.7 million mill levy is $3.58 per month per $100,000 of a home’s actual value, or about $42.98 per year. Furthermore, all MLO funds would stay local. None of these monies would go back to the State. 

 

Yes, the tax impact would be lower for seniors who qualify for the Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption. 

 

All spending from the bond would be publicly disclosed and project updates would be presented at community information meetings as well as on the District’s website. If BEST funding is awarded, additional oversight would be provided through the Colorado Department of Education Capital Construction Division. All project spending would be reviewed by an independent external auditor.

 

The District will be notified in late May 2018.

 

The District will be hosting public information meetings in May and June and mailing a public opinion survey district wide in the near future.