The District’s Growing Population: What they’re doing to fix it
In 2016 PSD voters helped approve a $375 million bond to build new schools and facilities within PSD. This process was held up by litigation until August of this year. This bond will build a new middle/high school in Wellington, and an elementary and middle/high school east of I-25. It will also allow facilities such as an athletic complex to be built, the transportation facility to be renovated, and Zach Elementary School will be expanded.
In 2016, following the election, Eric Sutherland filed a lawsuit saying that PSD hadn’t written the ballot ask in a way that fully informed voters where their money would go. Sutherland claimed that the ballot issue didn’t properly inform citizens that some of their money would be going to tax increment financing also known as (TIF). In simple terms, (TIF) means that not all special property taxes with the bond would go to the district. A portion of this money would go to urban service projects such as improvements to the Foothills Mall.
After two years of litigation, all five district court cases were decided in Poudre School District’s favor. The PSD Board of Education plans to issue general bonds for capital construction as soon as possible. Mr. Sutherland appealed one of the district court cases to the Colorado Court of Appeals. The judge’s order in that district court case determined that Poudre School District’s bond issue, mill levy override, and corresponding ballot questions were lawful.
On February 1st, 2018, the court of appeals affirmed the judge’s decision. Mr. Sutherland petitioned the Colorado Supreme Court to review the court of appeals’ decision. The Supreme Court had discretion to choose whether or not they would review the court of appeals’ decision. On August 20, 2018, they declined to do so. PSD’s Board of Education plans to issue general bonds for capital construction as soon as possible.
Now that PSD can finally proceed with these projects, they have released dates for the projects to begin. The Zach Elementary Addition project is projected to be done by late 2019. The Southeast Elementary school is planned to open in fall of 2021. Both middle/high schools are projected to open in fall of 2022. The massive Prospect Athletic Complex will be opening in fall of 2021. And, finally, the new Transportation Facility will be opening in Fall of 2022 as well.
Evan Johnson is a sophomore at Rocky Mountain High School. He plays baseball and enjoys spending time with his friends. He is always trying to lighten...
