gazette.com [local] 

      April 20, 2001 

                  
            $92 million urged for D-20

            By Raquel Rutledge/The Gazette

            Future residents of rapidly growing northern Colorado Springs might 
            find themselves short of schools unless voters allow Academy 
            District 20 to borrow money for new buildings, a committee told the 
            school board Thursday night.
            The committee of teachers, parents, administrators, business leaders 
            and others said the district will run out of space for middle school 
            students next year and seats for high school and elementary school 
            students by 2005 unless voters agree to spend nearly $92 million on 
            new buildings.
            "If we don't plan now, we're going to be way overcrowded for a long 
            period of time," said Heidi Pace, chairman of the committee.
            The committee also recommends the district borrow another $32 
            million to $62 million for technology, maintenance, remodeling and 
            other capital projects.
            District 20 is among the fastest growing in El Paso County. This 
            year, enrollment jumped 5.1 percent to 18,431 students. D-20 
            officials expect another 3,500 students to enroll in the next five 
            years, an 18 percent increase. 
            The $92 million would cover the cost of demolishing and rebuilding 
            one elementary school as well as building two new elementary 
            schools, a middle school and a high school. Some of the money would 
            be used to purchase land for a new transportation and maintenance 
            facility.
            Board members are considering placing a tax question on the November 
            ballot. It's too soon to say exactly how it might affect the average 
            homeowner. The board will make its final decision in August but will 
            hold at least one public meeting before that.
            D-20 voters passed a tax proposal in 1999 generating up to $12.75 
            million a year for operating costs only.
            The district last asked to borrow money for capital projects in 
            1994. Voters approved spending $59.1 million for two elementary 
            schools, Pine Creek High School and other construction projects. 
       

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