Education is One of Metro North’s Priorities
In addition to the slate of candidates you’ll find on the ballot Tuesday, November 4th, you will also see several school districts seeking your financial support to better serve their students’ educational needs.
Known as the “3’s” because of Colorado’s ballot numbering system, the Chamber is proud to endorse and support each of the Metro North school ballot issues in Adams County.
“Quality education is a key building block for our region at all levels“ said President and CEO Angela Habben. “Not only do strong school districts provide our youth with the best paths to successful futures, they’re also pivotal in attracting new business to the area and retaining business already here. With the rapid growth Metro North is experiencing, it’s imperative we invest in the future of Colorado education to stay competitive regionally and nationally. The Chamber urges you to support these ballot issues that are vital to our regional community.”
The November 4th education issues endorsed by the Chamber are:
Adams County School District 27J (Brighton)
3B – The $148 million bond proposal ($3.45 per month per $100,000 of assessed property valuation) will construct a third district high school, two new elementary schools, finish construction of a previously built elementary school, and make renovations and improvements to all existing schools and facilities.
Adams County School District 50 (Westminster)
3C – The bond proposal (two dollars per month per $100,000) to raise $20 million will upgrade safety and security features in schools, add air conditioning to five elementary schools, and add renovations to provide students access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes to prepare them for the jobs of the future.
3D – A mill levy override (three dollars per month per $100,000) will raise $2.5 million a year to support STEM programming – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – plus provide practical vocational training, offset future budget cuts, keep qualified teachers in the classroom, and continue implementation of the District’s CBS – Competency Based System.
Adams County School District 14 (Commerce City)
3E, F – These measures, totaling $4.9 million in new revenue, will construct, operate, and maintain a new S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) middle school, reconfigure elementary schools to become Early Childhood Education Centers, and make significant improvements to both existing middle schools.
Adams County School District 12
3I – The bond proposal ($5.58 per month per $100,000) will provide $15 million for student instruction: textbooks, instructional materials, and technology, attracting and retaining highly effective teachers, and expanding elective and class options.
3J – This measure – which will not increase the tax rate – will provide $220 million for repairs and maintenance on existing facilities, improved learning environments, and add two new schools to reduce severe overcrowding.
Adams County School District 1 (Mapleton)
3K – This $2.5 million mill levy will expand summer programming, before/after school support, intervention, tutoring, provide improved technology accessibility, and help ensure the recruitment and retention of high quality teachers.
3L – This $67 million bond issue will help repair many Mapleton school buildings that are more than 50 years old and have failing roofs, bathrooms, ceilings, and sewer systems.
About Metro North Chamber
Established in 1959, the Metro North Chamber of Commerce is Your Regional Business Powerhouse for the Metro North region representing more than 1,000 businesses in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Commerce City, Dacono, Erie, Federal Heights, Firestone, Frederick, Northglenn, Thornton, and Westminster. The Metro North Chamber supports businesses in the region by giving them a way to make themselves heard by government officials at the local and state levels. The Chamber provides opportunities to help businesses grow and develop and is committed to bringing businesses, educators, non-profits, and government agencies together to speak with one unified voice to promote the economic vitality of the Metro North area. For more information about the Metro North Chamber of Commerce visit www.MetroNorthChamber.com or call 303-288-1000.