The Manitou Springs School District 14 Board of Education met Monday, Aug. 30, to consider a resolution referring a ballot question authorizing an increase in the district’s debt. District 14 residents would vote on the question Nov. 2, 2021.

The resolution takes up four pages and is available at go.boarddocs.com/co/mssd14/Board.nsf/Public (click on Meetings and the Aug. 30 option).

The school board voted to authorize District 14 officers to certify, on or before Sept. 3, this question:

Shall Manitou Springs School District No. 14 debt be increased by $43 million, with a repayment cost of not to exceed $76.4 million, and shall district taxes be increased not more than $3.09 million annually, by the issuance and payment of general obligation bonds to provide, among other things, local matching money required for the district to receive $8,914,152.70 in state grant funds (which grant funds are not required to be repaid) under the Building Excellent Schools Today (“BEST”) program, all for providing capital assets for district purposes, including:

Providing $16,554,855.01 in district matching funds in order to receive the best grants which has been awarded by the state (the receipt of which is contingent upon the district’s ability to provide the matching amount);

Renovating and remodeling the high school facility and campus, constructing and equipping a new middle school facility as an addition to the Shared Integrated Learning Center (SILC), and renovating and remodeling the SILC to create additional learning space for students; 

Acquiring and constructing safety, security and ADA improvements and enhancements at Manitou Springs High School, Manitou Springs Elementary School, and Ute Pass Elementary School Including roof replacements at Manitou Springs Elementary and Ute Pass Elementary;

Renovating, restoring and improving the auditorium at Manitou Springs Elementary School (originally constructed in 1922); and Upgrading, equipping and renovating school playgrounds and athletic fields district-wide and constructing a new outdoor learning, activity, and athletic space at the middle school; provided that the expenditure of bond proceeds will be monitored by a board of education-appointed oversight committee of residents.