FACT CHECK: 4A Pro Statement

FALSE: This bond measure is not a new tax, only an extension of the existing bond that expires December 2023. Just as with the current bond, the mill rate will be adjusted annually to generate revenue of not more than $1.045 million of annual debt payment. The anticipated tax payments are expected to be comparable to current payments. FALSE - property taxes levied payment for the current outstanding bond has not been > $1 million since 2006. Current year tax collections are less than $720,000.

TRUE: The district will not see a proportionate increase in funding due to recent property tax reassessments.The Colorado School Finance Formula dictates the State contributes less money to total program funding when more funds are generated locally. TRUE - while tax payers pay additional taxes, the state contribution declines, leaving the District at a consistent funding level

FALSE: The district has been underfunded for years and has done an admirable job of maintaining a good program, despite the fiscal challenges, thanks to the sacrifice of the staff and volunteers. No one who has regularly attended board meetings can claim in good faith that the district has been wasteful. However, years of low funding have taken their toll on the buildings that the district is responsible for maintaining. Deferred maintenance has become a profoundly serious issue. FALSE - The District has increased spending 26.67% from 2020 while enrollment has decreased.

TRUE AND FALSE: Many citizens don’t realize that district students and staff have had to live with serious maintenance issues such as toxic mold, natural gas leaks, water quality issues, electrical problems, water intrusion, frequent HVAC issues, and structural concerns. For reference, a recent study showed that the elementary building was one of the worst ,in terms of physical condition, in Colorado. TRUE and FALSE - The CDE provides an Facility Condition Index score for each facility. This is a score from 0 to 1. A high FCI indicates the need for major repairs or improvements (not the current physical condition). DCES received and score of .87, one of the highest in the state.

FALSE: With concern over the health of students and staff, and repairs and upkeep at Deer Creek Elementary becoming a serious drain on district finances, the board was forced to consolidate the preschool and elementary school with the middle and high school campus. This move was motivated by taxpayer concerns that the district was not fully utilizing the resources it already had. FALSE - To date, no consolidation has occurred.

The proposed bond extension will allow the district to complete repairs and renovations needed to bring its buildings up to modern standards and make the move of the elementary school as efficient as possible.

FALSE: The district has listened to voters’ concerns,specifically around utilizing existing buildings.The district has approved a new Facilities Master Plan that reduced the scope of the project and the amount of the bond request in response to taxpayer concerns about cost. FALSE - No building utilization has changed. The facilities remain at less than 50% capacity.

FALSE: The school district has shown remarkable financial responsibility to the community. The current bond was refinanced twice over the past 25 years and some principal was paid down to pass along a lower payment to taxpayers. The district also sold surplus property to help fund the necessary renovations for relocating the preschool. FALSE: All the proceeds were added to the General Fund. The District failed to create a Capital Project Fund to show that funds were spent as stated.

The proposed bond extension money will be used for:

• Renovating and repurposing the FMS building into an elementary school True - This project is estimated to cost between $7-$10 million based on the District's mater plan

• Replacing roofs

• Improving HVAC and other mechanical systems

• Replacing current leaking gas lines FALSE: Already repaired and functioning

• Increasing school security