Top-Notch Schools In Denver Don’t Come Cut-Rate; Nov. 5 School Bond On Ballot Seen As Passport To The Future
by Glen Richardson
Board Backs Bond: Denver’s School Board unanimously approved the $975 million DPS bond package on Aug. 15, 2024.
With temperatures hovering between 84°F and 87°F as Denver schools started in mid-August, the $975 million DPS school bond on the November ballot includes $240 to install air conditioning at 29 schools.
The proposal — which would not raise taxes — has $124 million budgeted for new school construction and new school buses. There is another $100 million allocated for upgrades to existing school buildings.
Civic organizations — including those previously critical of DPS at times — have endorsed the bond measure. Nonprofit Denver Families for Public Schools — their board is made up of charter school leaders — gave endorsement after discussions with DPS educators, graduates, and community members. Educate Denver — an alliance of local civic leaders — also added their backing.
Cooling Challenge
Voters should realize that the average Denver Public School building was constructed 56 years ago, a time when central air conditioning was uncommon. The age of many K-12 buildings make adding AC a difficult feat. Building plans for many aren’t available or are inaccurate. Moving equipment into school spaces that can’t be demolished are challenging. Furthermore, crews are often required to work night shifts during school years.
Construction work during the summer when schools are closed — called “summer slammers” are fast-paced, usually requiring 60-hour work weeks to complete before students return for the school year.
As Denver’s temperatures continue to warm-up, hot classrooms increase concerns about the safety and well-being of students and staff. The U.S. Department of Education says that temperatures above 79 degrees can pose health risks and adversely affect test performance and knowledge retention. Hot classrooms in Denver have forced DPS to declare “heat days,” causing them to cancel school during hot spells.
Safety Upgrades
Cool Cory Kids: Air conditioning would be added at Cory Elementary School on S. Steele St. in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood if the bond issue is approved.
As hate crimes and mass casualty events continue to endure in schools, parents and families will be pleased to know that the school bond includes $28 million for safety upgrades to Denver school facilities.
The proposed funding would allow DPS to purchase weapons detection and crisis communication systems for area schools. Moreover, secure vestibules would be added to 17 schools. Vestibules will feature controlled entryways, with a desk and a transaction window. School staff members manning the window will screen visitors before allowing them into the primary sections of the school.
Safety and security of students is one of the foremost needs, and most important provisions in the bond package, parents and grandparents tell school officials. Ensuring that students and staff can learn and work in a secure environment is simply a must. “It’s essential and imperative,” they assert and proclaim.
Upkeep, New Build
The measure includes $301 million for what DPS calls, “critical maintenance” at 154 buildings. The work includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades, as well as general renovations.
Another $124 million would go for new school construction, plus new school buses. This would involve building a new elementary school and expanding another new campus by adding middle school grades. More: upgrades to existing school buildings adds $100 million. A new school-based health clinic plus upgrading existing clinics are included. It would also upgrade restrooms, cafeterias, and outdoor classrooms.
Proposed new technology is allocated $55 million. Funding will include classroom sets of Chromebooks for grades K-5, replacing student and teacher devices, and hotspots that allow students access to the internet at home. Specialized career and technical education programs such as aerospace engineering are allotted $51 million.
Tech Ed & STEAM
Safety Step-Up: Security vestibules with controlled entryways, and a transaction window would be added at 17 schools under DPS proposal.
Committed to graduating students that are career, college, and life ready, the bond has $51 million budgeted for technical education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) spaces. Included is $3 million to pay for elementary and middle school equipment across the district.
A major portion of the funding would add regional CTA or Career & Technical Education Centers. The centers will offer students programs that provide Industry Credentials. The new spaces will afford access to approximately 1,500 district students. The centers will focus on high-growth, high-wage careers within the Denver community.
The STEAM and CTE programming at Mile High elementary and middle schools will give students an early exposure to possible high-growth, high-wage careers. Funding will also allow for career and technical ed programs in aerospace, engineering, broadcasting, and plant science.
Theater, Sports
The bond measure also provides funds to upgrade and add new facilities to theater and sports facilities at Denver schools
Middle and high school stage upgrades, plus theater seating is budgeted at $43 million. $18 million of the amount will go to build a new auditorium at one campus.
Another $33 million will go for athletic facilities upgrades at Denver schools. Funds would pay for installing artificial turf, updating high school w
Stellar School: Opened at its present site in 1925, highly rated East High School is one of city’s many older schools that would benefit from the DPS school bond. Notable alumni include the Father of Nano-electronics Robert T. Bate, and singer July Collins.
eight rooms, replacing scoreboards, and adding lighting to athletic fields.
Mergers, Closing
The bond also adds nearly $3 million “to support school program movement, consolidation, closure, and other capacity needs from 2025 through 2028.”
DPS has closed 13 of about 200 schools since 2020 due to shrinking enrollment, driven by falling birth rates and rising housing costs, which continue to push families out of the city. The district. which serves about 88,000 students, has lost 5000 students since 2019.
On the bright side, Denver Public Schools’ graduation rate rose from 76.5% in 2022 to 79% in 2023, the highest rate for the state’s largest district in at least a decade. Its dropout rate remained the same at 3.8%.