In a sweeping result, nearly 79% of voters in Denver last week approved a measure providing some $795 million in bonds for a variety of school facility construction and upgrade initiatives.
Among the projects expected to be funded is the building of a new elementary school in the city’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood and either the rebuilding or remodeling of the former Montbello High School.
The existing Montbello school, on the northeast side of the city, was closed in the spring of 2014. But through the efforts of parents and community activists, the district earlier this year agreed to bring the school back to life.
One of the biggest items, at $128 million, will see the installation of either air conditioning or cooling solutions for some two dozen Denver public schools.
Additional funding to the tune of $2.8 million will go for upgrading both computer and science labs in some of the district’s middle schools. Just under $6 million is slated for enhanced school building facility work, which will include the installation of video analytics.
Another $6.5 million will target the upgrading and expansion of the district’s earlier childhood learning spaces.
Denver voters approved a separate measure that providing $7 million for a full-time nursing staff.
In taking note of the two successful proposals, Superintendent Susana Cordova noted the generosity of this year’s voter, saying that both measures were approved by the largest margins seen in three decades.
By Garry Boulard
