The Reason for an Ask
Academy District 20 stands on the brink of a historic opportunity that would impact students for generations to come. Our community has a unique chance to rebuild an aging school with minimal financial investment, and without increasing taxes. Through a Department of Defense (DoD) program, D20 can rebuild Air Academy High School (AAHS) by partnering with our community to commit just 20%, or $49 million, in funding to receive an approximately $191 million match from the DoD to complete the approximately $240M project.
This initiative will not only revitalize Air Academy High School but will also bring extensive benefits to all D20 schools, ensuring a brighter future for our students.
Overview of the 2024 Bond
The total amount of the bond measure is $83.14 million. The dollars are allocated as follows:
$49 million for a 20% match to receive an approximate $191 million federal grant to rebuild 65-year-old Air Academy High School, including a Center for Excellence, with new career education accessible to students across District 20;
$23 million to update District-wide non-charter facilities to improve older schools, and health, safety, and security. Also, proceeds would be used to comply with the mandatory LED lighting requirements contained in Colorado HB23-1161;
$9.48 million for capital improvement projects at The Classical Academy; and
$1.66 million for capital improvement projects at New Summit Charter Academy.
Fiscal Responsibility & Impact
The bond measure, if approved, would net D20 well over $200 million in return on investment. Building a brand new AAHS would erase $73 million in deferred maintenance at AAHS as it currently stands.
Any dollars invested through this measure by the D20 community will be monitored and reported on by the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee, which recently reported on the success of the 2016 bond, sharing all projects are being completed on-time and on budget.
This strategic investment would significantly enhance district-wide facilities, reinforcing our dedication to fiscal responsibility.
District-Wide Benefits
The project is not solely about rebuilding; it’s about reimagining education in District 20. At AAHS, D20 would construct a new Center for Excellence in Career and Technical Education, providing new opportunities for all D20 students. It would also erase $73 million in deferred maintenance.
Additionally, the $23 million in new funding would impact facilities across District 20's non-charter schools, including at our oldest schools. Improvements would include upgrades in the areas of health, safety and security. Examples include physical security upgrades, improved ventilation, replacing aging components, and much more.
This initiative illuminates a path forward to a bright future for every student in District 20.
Ballot Issue Arguments
Reasons For
Reason 1: This Bond Measure will utilize an 80% match from the Department of Defense, making it possible to rebuild 65-year-old Air Academy High School, at an approximate cost of $240 million. With just $49 million, D20 will fulfill its 20% match allowing D20 to take advantage of this opportunity.
Reason 2: This initiative will not increase taxes. Starting in 2025, taxpayers in D20 will see a decrease in tax rate due to a natural step-down in our bond repayments. Regardless of this Bond Measure’s success, taxes will go down.
Reason 3: This Bond Measure will benefit all D20 students and buildings. By rebuilding Air Academy High School, the District will not need to spend $73 million on deferred maintenance to the building. Instead, D20 can focus those dollars to other schools and programs, improve health safety and security District-wide, and complete necessary lighting upgrades across all buildings.
Reasons Against
Reason 1: The matching dollars and construction process will take time to navigate, meaning a rebuilt high school will not be a fast process, and it will take time for voters to see progress.
Reason 2: If this Bond Measure passes, taxes will not go down as much as they would if the measure fails.
Reason 3: Many students accessing new Air Academy High School Career education programming can remain enrolled in their neighborhood high school. Some programs may require School Choice enrollment into Air Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the 2024 Bond language change?
The timing of this change is related to recent proposed legislation, including from the Colorado Special Legislative Session called by our Governor. HB24B-1001 passed on Aug. 29 and includes limits on school district property taxes, creating uncertainty for our future funding. With uncertainty on the horizon, our Board of Education agreed that now is the time to invest in our schools while still decreasing taxes for District 20 residents. Importantly, the new total of the 2024 Bond is 83.14 million dollars, and will still be a no-tax-increase bond issue.
How will Bond dollars be used to improve health, safety and security?
Some bond proceeds will be used to update District-wide facilities to improve health, safety, and security and to comply with the mandatory LED lighting requirements contained in Colorado HB23-1161. What does this mean and how much money is planned for this part of the bond?
This portion of the bond is allocated $23,000,000 and is for non-charter schools. The money will be used to:
Improve the physical safety of schools;
Improve ventilation and dust collection in various middle and high school construction, wood, and clay classrooms;
Improve auditorium equipment and curtains to support theatre and music programs at various high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools; and
Upgrade to LED lighting in sites across the District in compliance with Colorado law.
For a list of projects broken out by school, visit BoardDocs.
Will Bond dollars go to D20 Charter schools and how will they spend the money?
The Classical Academy (TCA) and New Summit Charter Academy (NSCA) are accredited public schools and as such, are part of Academy District 20. Both schools are included in the ASD20 School Accreditation Rating, meaning like any other school in District 20, they contribute to the district's Accredited With Distinction designation. Given they are public schools within ASD20, they will receive bond funding.
The student population at TCA is about 13.7% of the total student population in District 20, while the student population at NSCA is about 2.4%.
If the bond were to pass, TCA would receive $9,480,000, which represents 11.4% of the $83,140,000 bond total. TCA would use their bond proceeds in the following way:
At TCA East, a gym would be constructed to alleviate space concerns, creating classrooms and administrative space as part of the College Pathways Program. The College Pathways Program in the facility has grown by more than 400 students since its inception in 2008 and is facing space constraints.
Additionally, dollars would be spent on LED lighting upgrades at all campuses.
Likewise, if the bond passes, NSCA would receive $1,660,000, which is less than 2% of the $83,140,000 bond total. NSCA would use their proceeds for HVAC Improvements, window replacements and coverings, carpeting, security cameras, and lighting.
Is D20 also working on a project to rebuild Douglass Valley Elementary School?
Separate from the 2024 Bond, District 20 is moving forward with funding the rebuilding of Douglass Valley Elementary School utilizing wisely saved dollars. This project will also contribute to a large net return on investment for D20 through the Public Schools on Military Installations program. The DVES rebuild will eliminate $27 million in deferred maintenance.
Are The Classical Academy and New Summit Charter Academy benefitting more from the bond than the non-charter schools in District 20?
$72,000,000 of the $83,140,000 bond amount is for District 20 non-charter schools.
If the bond passes, once Air Academy High School is rebuilt, $73,000,000 in required repairs and capital improvements at Air Academy will be removed from the District’s facility project list. This means that more funding for facility repairs and capital projects will be prioritized to our remaining oldest schools, because there will be fewer competing needs for these dollars.
Students across the District will also benefit from the Center for Excellence, as they will be able to participate in Career education programming.
For historical context, The Classical Academy received $21,050,000 from the 2016 bond. New Summit Charter Academy was not in existence at the time, so it did not receive dollars from the 2016 bond.
Will programs such as the Center for Excellence in Career and Technical Education at AAHS be available to all students?
Yes, depending upon the program, students could remain enrolled in their neighborhood school to attend programming at the Center for Excellence at Air Academy High School.
Buses will be available at each high school to provide transportation for programming at the Center for Excellence at Air Academy High School.
How much funding did The Classical Academy and New Summit Charter Academy receive from the 2016 bond that passed in District 20?
The Classical Academy received $21,050,000 in bond proceeds. New Summit Charter Academy was not in existence at the time, so it did not receive dollars from the 2016 bond.
What is the current District 20 total tax levy for homeowners? Is it increasing or decreasing?
In 1999, District 20 voters approved a measure that caps the District 20 total tax rate, also called a mill levy, at 60.216 mills. In Tax Year 2020 and multiple years before, the mill levy for District 20 was 60.216 mills.
Since 2020, the Academy District 20 tax rate has fallen each year.
The most recent District 20 levy for Tax Year 2023 was 47.867 mills, which is 12.349 mills below the District 20 voter-approved cap.
In Tax Year 2024, the District 20 tax rate will fall again, even if the 2024 bond measure is approved by voters.
If you would like additional information on what a mill levy is and how Colorado taxes are calculated, please visit this Division of Property Taxation resource.