The Alamosa School Board voted Monday to move forward with asking voters in November to adopt a $28 million bond issuance to pay for improvements at its school buildings and bus facility.
“We’ll make the case to the community as best we can,” said school board member Michael Mumper in stating his support for the bond issuance.
On a 6-1 vote the school board adopted a resolution that spells out the question to voters participating in the Nov. 5 election:
“SHALL ALAMOSA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. RE-11J DEBT BE INCREASED $28 MILLION, WITH A MAXIMUM TOTAL REPAYMENT COST OF NOT MORE THAN $51 MILLION, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED NOT MORE THAN $2.7 MILLION ANNUALLY TO PAY SUCH DEBT, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH DEBT TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE DISTRICT’S FACILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:”
- ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING health, safety, security, AND AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) UPGRADES at DISTRICT buildings;
- REPAIRING AND REPLACING outdated electrical, MECHANICAL and plumbing SYSTEMS and MAKING other repairs and renovations to extend the useful life of THE DISTRICT buildings;
- Improving the learning environment at Ortega Middle School by adding classrooms, INCREASING natural lighTING, updating restrooms and other necessary improvements;
- MAKING critical UPDATES at the high school BY adding a secure entrance, UPDATING CLASSROOMS AND restrooms, and ADDRESSING urgent maintenance;
- Addressing transportation AND maintenance needs;
- Updating athletic AND PERFORMING ARTS facilities;
- PROVIDING MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED BY THE STATE TO RECEIVE ANY GRANTS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THE BUILDING EXCELLENT SCHOOLS TODAY (“BEST”) PROGRAM, IF SUCH FUNDING SHOULD BECOME AVAILABLE.”
Voters will now decide the issue, with majority support needed for passage.
Property owners within school district boundaries would pay back the bond issuance through an increase in property taxes. A property owner with an average home value of $300,000 would see their school district property tax increase by about $192 a year, according to school district chief financial officer Amanda Hensley.
Here’s more background and information on the school bond proposal.
The school district’s $28 million bond proposal is the second local ballot question that has been referred to Alamosa voters. The city of Alamosa is asking voters in November to approve retail and medical marijuana sales in the city limits.
Stay up-to-date on all the local and state election news through the Alamosa Citizen Election 2024 page.