To the voters of Manitou Springs,
I am a proud graduate of Manitou Springs High School in 1990. The experience and opportunities that I had at a small school were so rewarding that I chose to have both of my children attend the school district and graduate from the high school as well. I am also a business owner in Manitou Springs.
The question before you regarding the school bond issue is a difficult one. The school district has not grown in the number of students over the years. However, the source of those students has shifted. Of the 1,238 students in the district in 2024 according to Sean Dorsey, Superintendent, over half of them do not live in the district. This represents a 15% decrease in overall students from 2023.
I am a proponent of school choice, however, School District 14’s situation is a challenging one. Deferred maintenance, an aging infrastructure, dwindling numbers, and a difficult economy force us to evaluate what is best for this community.
Property owners in Manitou Springs are already taxed quite a bit. Not only is this more expensive for residents, it causes higher rents for non-home-owners. It also puts tremendous pressure on an already struggling business community.
Commercial property owners pay over four times the rate of residential property owners. Businesses in Manitou Springs are struggling and if this bond issue passes it will put more pressure on the system. Sales tax collections historically represented over 65% of the general fund for the City of Manitou Springs and if businesses fail or relocate more of a burden will be placed on the residents. With the city facing a financial crisis because of the loss of revenue from retail marijuana this could be the breaking point.
Literature supporting this bond issue explains that it will only cost $7.04 per month per $100,000 of home value. According to the El Paso County Assessor’s Office, the median value of an owner-occupied home in Manitou Springs is over $500,000. This translates into an increase on average for residents of $422 per year and for businesses valued at $500,000 of over $1,600 per year.
According to census data, Manitou Springs is one of the oldest communities in El Paso County. The average person is 7 years older than the norm for the state. This means fewer children in the community. Approximately 20% of the households in Manitou Springs have children of school age living with them. If trends continue this number will only decrease over time.
It is unfortunate that School District 14 is in this position. It is my opinion that Sean Dorsey, Superintendent, inherited a poorly managed district. Buildings are literally falling apart because ongoing maintenance has been ignored. I believe the day of reckoning is upon us. I urge you to vote NO on 4C. This will force a conversation of the future direction of this school district and our community.
Sincerely,
Tim Haas
