Summit School District proposes to simultaneously have construction at three schools — Breckenridge Elementary, Snowy Peaks, and a new trade school — along with a “government” housing complex. This effectively rebuilds or adds about 36% of Summit School District’s current infrastructure all at once. Such a massive undertaking is overwhelmingly complex for any school district to manage effectively, and I have serious concerns Summit School District is not up to the task.
The risk of exceeding the $195.4 million budget is high. If costs escalate, where will the additional funds come from? Furthermore, who will handle the maintenance and staffing for these new facilities once built? While some positions may be repurposed, Bonds cannot legally fund salaries to hire staff, creating an “unfunded liability” that will ultimately draw from the general fund, potentially leading to fewer teachers in our classrooms.
Fiscally, the size of this bond is staggering. It requires financing for up to 30 years, costing us $17.9 million annually — equivalent to 331 teacher salaries at $54,000 each. The maximum repayment cost could be up to $383.7 million.
Since 2020-21, the Summit School District’s fiscal year spending has increased from $33.9 million to $54.2 million, a 60% increase. At the same time the Summit School District’s State accreditation score has dropped from a “distinguished” rating of 81.5 to below “accredited” at 55.
Most alarming is that nothing in this massive bond measure is likely to improve our student’s basic academic performance. By rejecting this bond, we’re prioritizing responsible financial management for our students and community.
Let’s protect Summit School District from itself by saying no to this bond. It is time for Summit School District to focus on what truly matters — educating our children without being burdened by overwhelming debt.