Bond Measure and Mill Levy Override
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On November 5, 2019, voters in Greeley and Evans approved a $395 million bond issue to improve school facilities throughout Greeley-Evans School District 6. This is the first time District 6 has asked for a large bond issue to repair, replace and renovate its buildings since 2003.
In October 2018, Greeley-Evans School District 6 contracted with an architectural firm, the Cunningham Group, to conduct a Facility Needs Assessment on every school and building in District 6. A 60-member Community Facilities Planning Team began meeting to advise the Facility Needs Assessment and identify priorities for addressing the facility needs in District 6. In May, the Community Facilities Planning Team recommended that the Board of Education consider putting a Bond Issue on the ballot.
The Facility Needs Assessment report revealed that every school in District 6, including charter schools, are in need of repairs, renovations, and sometimes, replacement and rebuilding. The overall needs in the District are nearly $1 billion. Five schools - Greeley West, Madison Elementary, Scott Elementary, Brentwood Middle and Bella Romero Academy K-3 Campus - were all recommended for tear down and replacement. The cost of trying to renovate and repair these schools is approaching the cost of a total replacement, and structural issues are so significant that a complete rebuild is recommended for these schools. In addition, the study cited needed repairs and renovations at every school, including enhancements for safety and security, removal of asbestos, and replacement and repairs to larger systems, such as heating and air conditioning and roofs. Improvements to instructional spaces, including career and college readiness programs, were also recommended.
On August 12, the Board of Education voted unanimously to place a $395 million bond issue on the November 5, 2019 ballot. To view, please click HERE.
The cost to homeowners for the $395 million bond will be $2.64 per month for each $100,000 of property value, or $31.68 annually. Based on the price of the average home in Greeley, most homeowners will pay about $100 a year to fund this bond issue. Because of state law, commercial property owners pay a much higher tax rate than residential property owners. This issue will cost a commercial property owner $10.69 per month for each $100,000 of property value, or $128.29 annually. District 6 will pay back the bonds over the next 25 years.
Every school in District 6, including charter schools, will receive money for structural upgrades from this Bond Issue. Specific items included in this Bond Issue are:
- Replacement of Greeley West High School, increasing the capacity from 1,000 to 1,800
- Replacement of Madison Elementary School, and either rebuilding as an elementary or a K-8, based on input from the community
- Construction of a new K-8 school in District 6, with a capacity of 900 students.
- A 50,000-square-foot addition to McAuliffe STEM Academy K-8 school to address overcrowding. Right now the school is 450 students over capacity.
- A 35,000-square-foot addition to Chappelow Arts Magnet K-8 to address overcrowding
- Enhancements to safety and security, including securing entrances at all schools and replacing door hardware and locks
- Accessibility improvements in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Roof repairs and replacements on some sites
- Heating, ventilation and cooling system upgrades at some sites.
- Funds for every school for instructional and career and college preparation upgrades
- Charter schools will receive money for repairs, renovations, safety and security and instructional upgrades.
Construction projects will be tracked on this website throughout the duration of the bond-funded renovations, repairs and building. Specific questions not addressed here can be sent to Chief of Communications Theresa Myers at tmyers@greeleyschools.org
The first-ever Career and Technical Education Center in Greeley-Evans School District 6 and a new Jefferson High School were officially opened this week at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.
The ribbon on the new James Madison STEAM Academy was officially cut Thursday evening, marking the opening of the new school that will replace the former Madison Elementary School. “This would not be possible without the support of voters in Greeley and Evans,” said Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch. “Because of the passage of our bond issue in 2019, the staff, families and students in this neighborhood will have a state-of-the-art education facility that will serve students for decades to come.”
We bid a fond farewell to the old Madison Elementary School building, and excitedly welcomed the brand new James Madison STEAM Academy!
The final steel beam was placed on the south addition at Heath Middle School on Friday, April 14th, 2023, marking a milestone in the bond-funded construction project.
The Tointon Academy of Pre-Engineering officially opened to the public Thursday night, August 18, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house.
With a snip of the scissors, a new era officially began Tuesday evening for Greeley West High School, as Greeley-Evans School District 6 officially opened the new school, replacing a 60-year-old building that had numerous challenges and structural issues.