“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L.M. Montgomery
Our Word is Our bond
Fall has flown by, and another school year is off to a great start! It seems like every year we head into back to school season, blink, and the holidays are already upon us.
In the world of school bond planning and construction, fall 2024 was a particularly busy one for Denver Public Schools.
From wrapping up 2020 bond projects, to celebrating the election results that gave Denver Public Schools the largest bond funding package DPS has ever asked Denver voters for- this fall was truly monumental for the Denver Public Schools community!
Thank you Denver voters for voting "yes" on Ballot Issue 4A for our Denver students! On Nov. 5, 2024, Ballot Issue 4A won with a 74% approval rate, and will provide $975 million dollars in funding for Denver Public Schools!
Thanks to the success of the 2024 Bond, we've got a lot of exciting work to do these next four years to improve our schools, and we can't wait to dive in! Thank you Denver voters for your trust and commitment to ensuring Every Learner Thrives at DPS.
The Road to the 2024 Bond
Bond FAQ Series
Our goal was to educate our community on what the 2024 Bond is, why we were asking for a school bond, and what school bonds, like the 2024 Bond, do for Denver Public Schools. We asked some of our youngest community members to help us in coming up with a creative way to spread the word. Our Bond Frequently Asked Questions series helped us do just that!
Industry Insider Series
With the goal of educating our community in mind, we shared information on 2024 Bond program categories through our "Industry Insider" series, which was aimed at decoding the industry jargon we commonly use in the education space! Are you still fuzzy on understanding a particular bond program category and what it means for your school? Watch a short informative video from one of our program leads below...
Safety
Technology
Sustainability
Air Conditioning
Athletics
Performing Arts
Maintenance
New Capacity
Innovation
Quality Learning Environments
Marrero Moment with Denver Public Schools CFO, Chuck Carpenter
We used every tool we had available to spread information about the 2024 Bond, including one very special episode of the "Marrero Moment" series focused on bond finance and featuring Denver Public Schools' Chief of Finance Chuck Carpenter. If you missed this informative episode when it first premiered, its worth a watch now! Chuck discusses his approach to his work and how he manages his team, the details surrounding the budget of our school district, and what fund management really looks like inside of Colorado's largest school district.
Educa Podcast: The Bond Oversight Committee is Accountability in Action
Did you know that DPS appoints a committee of volunteers to help oversee and advise the district after bond measures are passed by Denver voters? The volunteers on the 2020 Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) worked tirelessly to ensure that promises made were promises kept. Hear more from our passionate volunteers, Veronica Booz and Becca Norris, about their experience on the BOC in this episode of the EDUCA Podcast. Watch in English or in Spanish.
Educa Podcast: The Need for Career Tech Education Programming is Rapidly Growing in Denver
In this episode of the EDUCA Podcast, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dr. Jaime Fiorenza and CTE Curriculum Specialist Amery Martinez share DPS CTE updates. CTE programming is rapidly expanding at DPS, with funding being allocated for three new innovation centers in the 2024 Bond. The centers will provide students opportunities to gain industry certifications and college credit while building their knowledge and skills. Watch this episode in English or in Spanish.
2024 School Letters
Are you wondering what was included in the 2024 bond proposal for your school, specifically? We've got you covered! Learn more about the investments that Denver voters approved for your specific school by downloading your school letter.
School letters are available to download in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Dari, English, French, Nepali, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
2020 Bond: A Look Back at the Last Four Years
The DPS Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) team worked tirelessly over the last four years to deliver on the promises of the 2020 bond, which provided $795 million for our schools. Whether PDC was busy installing cooling in historic buildings, building adaptive playgrounds for students with disabilities or renovating athletic facilities, one thing is certain: the promises made were promises kept!
Watch a guided tour led by PDC Executive Director, Troy “Mr. T” Garner, of the accomplishments of the last four years of bond construction. What an incredible journey it has been -- thank you, Denver voters, for your investment in public education!
2020 Bond Testimonials
In 2020 Denver voters agreed to pass a $795 million dollar bond for school improvements across 200+ Denver public schools. The result? Put simply, "Every Learner Thrives". We want to say thank you Denver voters for your investment in public education!
If you are a student, teacher or staff member at a school that has received 2020 bond funding and would like to submit a testimonial, please contact us at: bond@dpsk12.net
Montbello High School
The Montbello community has a new “crown jewel” on Crown Boulevard. The new Montbello High School, part of the Reimagine Montbello project, is complete!
Cheltenham Elementary
The 2020 Bond allowed for ECE students playground improvements to be a priority, and our young scholars at Cheltenham Elementary School are reaping the benefits.
CEC Early College
This 2020 bond testimonial is brought to you by film program students at Career Education Center Early College (CEC).
The CEC film students produced the video for CEC automotive program students, highlighting how the 2020 Bond provided funds to remodel the automotive shop with brand new industry-standard equipment, and improved the learning environment for automotive students.
Hallet Academy
At Hallett Academy, projects funded by the 2020 bond included: air conditioning, a replacement of 70% of the school’s flooring, new furniture in the art room and a brand new outdoor learning space.
Bond in the Media
Denver 7: Denver Public Schools $975 million bond would fund improvements for performing arts
Front Porch: Opinion: Northfield High School Students Support Ballot Issue
Front Porch: A School Program Focusing on Life Skills
Denver 7: 'Everybody can play': DPS's first-ever ADA-accessible and inclusive playground was spearheaded by students
Chalkbeat: Denver Public Schools bond election results: 4A passes
What is a Bond?
A bond is funding drawn from existing property taxes to support public projects and services. Denver Public Schools (DPS) is one of the public entities that has the ability to ask voters for funding through property tax increases.
A portion of Denver residents’ property taxes go into a state fund that supports education in Denver and across the state. Another portion of property taxes are for bonds and mill levy overrides that fund only projects and services in Denver.
DPS presented a 2024 bond package proposal to Denver voters on November 5, 2024. DPS did not ask voters to approve a mill levy override in 2024.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Bond-- Measure 4A-- has passed, with a 74% approval rate among Denver voters.
The 2024 Bond will require an increase in the district’s bond debt but will not increase property taxes.
Bonds are one-time investments in capital projects such building classrooms, buying technology and security equipment.
Bond funds help renovate older schools to update them for 21st-century learning, build brand-new school buildings and buy additional educational technology
A mill levy funds ongoing operational needs such as teachers, software, enrichments and social-emotional supports.
A bond funds:
The building of schools, athletic facilities and classrooms.
A bond provides funding for critical maintenance needs which include air conditioning installations, mechanical and plumbing repairs.
A bond funds technology upgrades which include installation of state-of-the art safety features for schools, assistive technology equipment for students with disabilities and electronics for student learning.
Denver Public Schools did not ask voters to approve a Mill Levy Override in 2024.
What is the Difference Between a Bond and a Mill Levy?
Everyone Has a Voice at DPS
The details surrounding bond and mill levy can be confusing, and we hope to rectify that, in part, with the development and distribution of this newsletter.
Transparency is our goal and we are working hard to make sure the Denver community knows that our promises made are promises kept.
Our DPS community has an important role in advocating for the improvements we make in our school district and the lives we are able to change in doing so. Thank you for being part of the plan to ensure Every Learner Thrives, by staying informed and engaged in the bond planning process!
Thank you,
Giorgia Alexander
Bond and Mill Levy Communications Specialist
Questions or comments? Email us at bond@dpsk12.org