Se Colorado News

Huerfano School District issued the following announcement on Sept. 24.

Background:

A master plan was done in 2019-2020 to determine the needs of school buildings and a plan for future investment.

Huerfano School District applied for and is in line to receive a $20.8 million Capital Construction BEST Grant to improve our school facilities.

John Mall HS Needs:

• John Mall classroom buildings were built in 1975 and 1976; they are 45 years old.  There are many needs for repair and upgrade.  The largest items of concern are structural and ventilation, but there are many other needs that are costly to address, including fire alarm, security, roof leaks, and asbestos.
• Wrestling (built 1964), Welding (built 1964) and Woodshop (built 1998) are in separate buildings.
• It is very challenging to provide a safe and secure environment for students when they have to walk outside to separate buildings throughout the day.  Doors are left open and we do not have enough supervision to ensure safety.
• 2 separate assessments on the buildings were done, by the Colorado Department of Education and by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• We cannot afford to repair the serious deficiencies in the John Mall buildings without this important help from the State.

Peakview Needs:

• Peakview was built in 2004.
• 2 separate assessments on the buildings were done, by the Colorado Department of Education and by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• Specific needs include:
  • roof replacement
  • repair of floor slab cracking and flooring replacement
  • ADA accessibility sitework
  • security, access control and phone improvements
  • partial exterior door and window replacement
  • mechanical system improvements

Gardner Valley School Needs:

• Gardner’s needs were also assessed by CDE and Wold
• There are facility needs throughout the building.  The highest priorities are:
  • roofing
  • window replacement

Master Plan Guiding Principles:

• We commit to be visionary and innovative.
• We support an open and transparent process.
• We are community driven and informed.
• We are fiscally responsible.
• We are prudent with resources and facility decisions, and consider long-term financial impacts to the school and community.
• We appreciate operational and environmental sustainability.
• Huerfano School District graduates will be equipped with skills to enter the next phase of their life, whether it is toward a career or college.
• Our facilities should have appropriate physical and technology systems to support today’s learning.
• We will prepare students for high-demand careers and relevant occupations.
• We will foster partnerships with organizations, businesses, industry and higher-ed in the area.
• Huerfano School District and Facilities are here to support students and their families.
• We strive to provide safe, healthy and secure environments for our students, staff and families.
• We shall support life-long multi-generational learning and adult education.
• We continue to support our culture of strong Academics, Athletics and all areas of the Arts.

The Bond:

• Is a total of $16,368,228
• John Mall:
  • The portion of the bond going toward the 7-12 school is $11,742,728
  • Replace John Mall high school with a new building that will be for grades 7-12.  Bringing 7th & 8th graders to the HS will give them better access to electives and CTE programs.  This will bring all of the classes into one building for safety and security.
  • This is 36% of the cost of the school. This is a required match to the BEST grant.
• Peakview:
  • The portion of the bond going toward Peakview is $3,625,000
  • This will address the highest priority needs identified
• Gardner Valley School:
  • The portion of the bond going toward Gardner Valley is $1,000,000
  • Address the highest priority needs identified

The Cost to Taxpayers:

Residential tax impact:

$50,000 market value home= $48.32/year, or $4.02/month, or $1.00/week

$75,000 market value home= $72.47/year, or $6.04/month, or $1.51/week

$100,000 market value home= $96.63/year, or $8.05/month, or $2.01/week

Commercial? tax impact :

$100,000 of market value = $391.34/year, or $32.61/month

Agricultural? tax impact:

Flood Irrigated=  $1.76/Acre

Meadow Hay Land=  $1.37/Acre

Grazing Land- $0.08/Acre

Original source can be found here.