Superintendent pitches fall bond to build schools, expand career-technical center and fund safety upgrades
May 29, 2024 | Longmont, Boulder County, Colorado
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Superintendent Don Hadad told a joint meeting of Longmont city and school leaders that the district plans to recommend a fall bond focused on three priorities: new schools to accommodate growth, renovation and deferred-maintenance work, and safety upgrades.
He said the district is aiming to ‘‘provide addition schools to accommodate the growth’’ including elementary schools in Longmont and Erie, a K–8, a new east-side high school, and a dedicated Career & Tech Education center. Don said the CTE center would relieve long waiting lists for programs such as welding, electronics, machining, automotive technology and culinary arts.
The superintendent framed the bond as time-sensitive because of rising construction costs and recent changes in assessed valuation and district debt: "we can do so without raising taxes," he said, adding that the district purposely sized the request so it would not trigger an annual tax increase. Don also said the district had paid down debt early and lowered taxes this spring, which he said helps the district proceed without an immediate tax hike.
Chief financial officer Greg Fe said the district can structure bond issuances to fit ballot language and market conditions, allowing flexibility in timing and amortization while still funding the projects described by the superintendent.
Why it matters: The district is projecting continued enrollment growth and is planning capacity for thousands of additional students. The proposed bond would fund both new construction and upgrades intended to address safety systems and deferred maintenance across roughly 60 schools.
What’s next: Don said the Board of Education will decide in August whether to place the measure on the ballot. If approved, the district and the four affected counties will manage issuance and project scheduling.
Source attribution: Key statements and figures in this article come directly from Superintendent Don Hadad and CFO Greg Fe during the joint session.
He said the district is aiming to ‘‘provide addition schools to accommodate the growth’’ including elementary schools in Longmont and Erie, a K–8, a new east-side high school, and a dedicated Career & Tech Education center. Don said the CTE center would relieve long waiting lists for programs such as welding, electronics, machining, automotive technology and culinary arts.
The superintendent framed the bond as time-sensitive because of rising construction costs and recent changes in assessed valuation and district debt: "we can do so without raising taxes," he said, adding that the district purposely sized the request so it would not trigger an annual tax increase. Don also said the district had paid down debt early and lowered taxes this spring, which he said helps the district proceed without an immediate tax hike.
Chief financial officer Greg Fe said the district can structure bond issuances to fit ballot language and market conditions, allowing flexibility in timing and amortization while still funding the projects described by the superintendent.
Why it matters: The district is projecting continued enrollment growth and is planning capacity for thousands of additional students. The proposed bond would fund both new construction and upgrades intended to address safety systems and deferred maintenance across roughly 60 schools.
What’s next: Don said the Board of Education will decide in August whether to place the measure on the ballot. If approved, the district and the four affected counties will manage issuance and project scheduling.
Source attribution: Key statements and figures in this article come directly from Superintendent Don Hadad and CFO Greg Fe during the joint session.
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