Proposals:

Fairplay Campus

• Replace elementary school, middle school, and high school on current site.
• Renovate historic Edith Teter gymnasium and original school building.
• New football field and track at a new site near the South Park Recreation Center.
• New parking, drop-off, and landscape improvements.

Lake George Campus

• Replace existing school entirely.

Facility Problems:

• Buildings do not meet current code, life safety, and environmental health standards.
• Roof systems are failing and need replacement.
• Buildings are in disrepair, energy inefficient, and costly to maintain.
• Lack of classroom space has resulted in the use of temporary modular buildings.
• Numerous security problems exist due to multiple entry points.
• Athletic facilities due not meet regulation standards.
• Parking and drop-off facilities are inadequate and unsafe.

Benefits:

Educational Benefits

• Additional instructional space to allow removal of temporary modular buildings.
• Improve learning environment through upgraded facilities, including lighting and mechanical ventilation systems.
• Prepare students for future technology through updated infrastructure.

Safety Benefits

• Upgrades to current code, life safety, and help standards.
• Improve indoor air quality and lighting throughout the buildings.
• Improve security by minimizing building entry points.
• Improve student safety through enhancements to auto and bus traffic circulation.

Cost Saving Benefits

• Significantly reduce gas and electric utility usage and costs.
• Reduce maintenance and repair costs.
• Cost savings can be redirected into educational programs.

Community Benefits

• Improved school facilities attract new members and increased revenue to the community.
• Increases the value of home and businesses.
• New facilities such as sports facilities and classrooms are available for community usage.

Why address these issues now:
The BEST program is a limited State program, thus limiting our opportunities from matching funding. South Park Schools' faculty, board, and planning committees have been working for the last 6 months to position the District as a leading candidate for BEST funds.  If we are unable to provide a local match now, our educational needs will still exist.  We may loss our opportunity to receive up to 50% funding from the State.  In addition to the best program opportunities, construction costs are much lower than past years, and interest rates continue to stay at all time lows.  All of these factors provide South Park Schools with an opportunity to maximize our dollar and improve our schools.


What will it cost?

A successful bond election will have a residential tax impact of about $2.21 per month or $26.50 per year on a $100,000 residential home.  Just about $4.90 per month on an average home of $220,000!

Did you know?

• In 1995, an owner of a $100,000 home paid $450 in school taxes; now in 2009, the owner of an average $220,000 home is paying $276! After a successful bond issue, owners will be paying $100 less in school taxes than they did almost 15 years ago.
• Over that same time span, the Park County RE-2 mill levy has decreased from 43.4 mills to 17.18 mills.  After a successful election, the mill levy will be half of what it was 15 years ago.