The Mapleton Public Schools Board of Education will decide Tuesday whether to ask the community for a bond measure.
Superintendent Charlotte Ciancio said she is asking the board to place a $30 million bond initiative on November’s ballot. That would include enough to match a state grant the district is in line for, plus another $8 million for improvements at York International.
The state board of education conditionally granted Mapleton $32 million this year to rebuild the Skyview Campus, which houses five schools, but without the community’s $22 million contribution through a bond, the district doesn’t get the grant. The match is not 50-50 – the state would pay 60 percent of the project, with the community responsible for 40 percent.
The district received the same grant last year, but its bond measure failed and the district forfeited the money.
“It really is match it or lose it,” Ciancio said.
Each year, districts apply for the state grant money through the Building Excellent Schools Today program. Mapleton applied for the same grant last year, and received it, but couldn’t make the match and lost the grant. Ciancio said this year she is grateful for the second chance.
While final estimates won’t be available until the board meeting Tuesday, the district’s Chief Financial Officer Don Herman said the tax increase would be about $3.40 per month per $100,000 of assessed home value and $124.60 per month per $1 million of assessed business value.
Plans at York include building an addition to accommodate the nearly 200 students currently learning in the school’s modules. It would also boost technology and science labs.
Project plans for the renovations at the Skyview Campus, 88th Avenue and York Street, include two new buildings to house five schools – Skyview Academy, Clayton Partnership, Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts, Mapleton Early College, and the North Valley School for Young Adults. The auditorium, gymnasium and commons areas will stay.
The new campus would include partnerships with the city of Thornton, Rangeview Library District and the Regional Transportation District (RTD), along with other entities providing grants for programs.
The Skyview Campus project, Ciancio said, would help the district free up money to use at other schools.
“It’s a rolling domino effect that really touches every school,” she said. “It will make a better learning experience for all children.”
This year would be the fourth time in as many years the district asked its community to approve a bond measure. The community approved a $1.9 million mill levy override last year, which has helped the district with operating costs.
In 2007, the district asked its community for $70 million to build two new schools and fix others. In 2008, the district asked for $64 million to build additions and fix schools. Last year they went for $30 million.
All three measures failed.
The school board will vote Tuesday. If the board decides to go for a bond, the measure will be on November’s ballot.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and will be at the district’s administration offices, 591 E. 80th Ave. in Denver.
Caroline Kipp can be reached at carolinek@metronorthnews.com