4A "FOR" Statement Reality Check
Deer Creek Elementary School has one of the worst FCI (Facility Condition Index) ratings in the state. This means that it would cost almost as much to repair the building as it would cost to replace it. Learning at Deer Creek Elementary School and Preschool has been disrupted in the past year due to facility system failures. PCSD buildings currently in use are up to 60 years old with the newest facility just over 20 years old.
TRUE-Based on District bond documents , District minutes and the CDE
Through the master planning process, the School Board has decided to consolidate all the schools onto one, integrated, PreK-12 campus at the current Middle School/High School site.
TRUE-Based on District minutes and documents
The need for these improvements was determined as a result of input from the state, community meetings, and a Strategic Planning Committee that included parents, district employees, board members, business owners, and professional consultants.
TRUE-Based on District minutes and documents
Property taxes will increase roughly $68 for every $100,000 of actual home value annually. Our students need updated, safe facilities.
TRUE-Based on District this statement is true and will increase property taxes 207%
Without this funding and as a result of continued and prolonged funding cuts to education in Colorado, necessary repairs and system replacements will not be possible.
FALSE-Over the last decade local, State and Federal funding has gone up by 43% as presented by the Common Sense Institute pg. 13 Sept 2022. Additionally, the recently presented District audit has revealed $780,000 in unexpended revenues for FY21, see the audit draft. Funding does not appear to be an issue at this time.
Failure to address these needs jeopardizes our property values and the long-term viability of our school district.
FALSE-The District building conditions have been declining for decades and the surrounding property values have been increasing at dramatic rates for almost a decade. There is no correlation established at this time for this assertion.
This bond is funded by our community and funds stay 100% within our community.
FALSE-There is no guarantee that the funds will stay "within our community". Contractors used for construction may or may not come from this community.
Voting yes will provide resources to ensure our students are receiving quality education in safe environments, benefitting(sic) the entire community.
FALSE-The correlation between the condition of the building and the quality of education has not been quantified for the District i.e. no district building has been identified with "Sick Building Syndrome"
These improvements will drastically reduce maintenance costs and increase safety, security, and efficiency.
REALITY CHECK- The District has NOT provided any savings information, they have not addressed the security issues that existed 20 years ago the High School campus is still a soft target and nothing in this concept addresses this issue. Efficiencies have not been defined by the District other than reducing square footage, a BEST Grant reviewer comment "Reduces sq.ft of district but size of school is large for the number of students"
Consolidating campuses creates one true community focal point, one where all stakeholders can actively participate in academic, extra-curricular, and after-school programs.
REALITY CHECK- The District has not provided any information on HOW the stakeholders would benefit from this consolidation academically et.al.
Upgrades will include:
·Safety improvements - enhanced security at school entryways.
·Improved functionality and utilization of classrooms, with new career and technical education classrooms
·New Elementary School and updated Middle/High School
REALITY CHECK- The District has not provided what security enhancements will be done, the District has NO curriculum for Career and Technical Education (CTE) or an existing program. The most current concept design presented to the public has removed the CTE Center from the design. The District has not provided reasoning behind the demolition of the middle school and why the existing building would not be used for the elementary school. 50% of the feedback sections in the BEST Grant review question the lack of information provided about the reasoning to demolish the middle school.
Accountability to our community will be assured through the establishment of a bond oversight committee, composed of parents, community members, business owners, and staff.
REALITY CHECK- The District does not have an established bond committee, based on a review of board minutes the Board has not committed to appointing a bond committee, after a review of the 9.12.2022 minutes, the board recently eliminated the only community driven financial oversight committee.
It is the District's intent to match our tax dollars to a BEST grant to minimize the need for property tax increases. 53.1% of the total project is proposed to be funded by the matching grant, this is the most fiscally responsible option.
REALITY CHECK- The BEST Grant is not generally a 50/50 match, the District cannot guarantee that the BEST Grant will cover 50%+ of the project. The District cannot even guarantee it will be given a BEST Grant its first application was rejected, the comments as to why are found here.
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