By: Curtis Englehart | Executive Director, Grand Junction Economic Partnership

Originally published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel  (September 15, 2024)

Workforce development and economic development go hand in hand. I’ve experienced this as the previous Director of the Mesa County Workforce Center and now as the Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP).

Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to co-chair the School District 51 Bond and Mill Levy Override (MLO) Committee. With the support of GJEP’s Board of Directors, I enthusiastically accepted. With my co-chair, Karen Troester, and a dedicated campaign committee, we have been working tirelessly to educate the community on the importance of investing in our schools and students.

This November, voters will have the opportunity to decide on two separate ballot measures that will impact the future of our emerging workforce: The 2024 Bond and the Mill Levy Override.

The 2024 Bond Measure:

This bond will allow School District 51 to address essential safety and security upgrades across all D51 schools. In 2004, voters approved a bond that will now be paid off on December 1, 2024, enabling our school district to seek access to an additional $190 million in new bonds without raising taxes.

A vote YES on the new bond will allow our school district to continue funding building and maintenance projects aligned with the comprehensive Long Range Facility Plan. This plan gives our school district a roadmap to assess the immediate needs and prioritize projects to ensure the $190 million will be used efficiently. Maintenance needs that will be addressed through the 2024 Bond include:

• Major facility renovations at both Central High School and Fruita Monument High School
• Safety and security improvements across the district
• Special education renovations across the district
• Priority maintenance and repairs

Our school District has over 3 million square feet of building space to maintain, with $582 million in estimated needs over the next 10 years. The average age of school buildings is 48 years, while administrative buildings average 78 years. Our students need access to a safe and secure environment conducive to learning, and the 2024 Bond will allow School District 51 to begin making necessary upgrades and repairs.

The 2024 Mill Levy Override (MLO):

A mill levy override is a voter approved property tax increase beyond state revenue limits, specifically for local school district funding. Unlike bonds, which fund capital projects, MLO’s support operational expenses like teacher salaries, instructional materials, and utilities.

They are crucial when districts need more funds to maintain or enhance daily operations and education quality, particularly when state funding is insufficient. Since 2009, the State of Colorado has withheld nearly $250 million from SD51, and this amount will not be reimbursed.

A YES vote on the MLO will extend the 2017 MLO that is currently in place. The MLO will allow School District 51 to keep what they currently have without raising taxes.

This MLO allows the school district to:

• Keep five additional student contact days
• Help keep teacher’s salaries competitive
• Provide updated curriculum and related training for educators
• Provide technology support for schools
• Extend the life of buildings with funding for annual priority maintenance

Financial Responsibility and Student Progress:

Currently, School District 51 ranks 173 out of 178 school districts in Colorado for per-pupil-funding and Colorado ranks 39 out of 50 states regarding public school funding. This is unacceptable and must be addressed to support our emerging workforce and maintain a thriving economy.

School District 51 has a proven track record of financial responsibility. For the 30^th year in a row, D51 was awarded the Government Finance Officer Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  School District 51 also maintains a high credit rating, allowing for favorable borrowing terms on new bonds. We can be confident that funds will be used efficiently, with both ballot measures having a clear plan for fund usage and annual audits.

Our school district is moving in the right direction as demonstrated by significant progress in the 2023-2024 school year:

• Highest graduation rate in 17 years with 1,400+ high school graduates
• Highest number of students earning the Superintendent’s Scholars Award, recognizing GPAs of 4.0 and above
• Highest percentage of elementary students reading at or above grade level
• Over 1,000 students earning close to 11,000 free college credits
• Over 80% of our schools earn the highest academic ratings in Colorado
• More options for students through AP, IB, STEAM, Dual Language, and more

These achievements speak volumes about the commitment of School District 51 and its staff. By voting YES on the Bond and MLO initiatives, we can continue to support students by meeting their immediate needs.

Strong schools and a strong economy are deeply connected. Our schools need our support, and I am often asked, “How can I help?” In addition to voting YES on both measures, you can contribute by making a financial donation, taking a yard sign, sharing information on your social media, volunteering, or submitting a letter to the editor.

Also, remember to vote from the bottom up on your ballot this year. Since this is an election year with multiple state measures on the ballot, our local measures will be toward the bottom. In addition to the Bond and MLO, there are several local initiatives that deserve your vote.

Supporting the Bond and MLO initiative is an investment in our community’s future. These measures ensure that our schools have the resources to maintain safe, high-quality facilities, competitive teacher salaries, and essential educational programs without raising taxes. By voting YES, we can continue to see the positive impacts of a well-funded educational system on our students, workforce, and economy. Your vote can make a difference in building a brighter, stronger community.

To learn more about the 2024 Bond and MLO initiative and ways to get involved, please visit citizensforD51schools.com.