Bond Plan

Funding Option — $490 Million

The Douglas County School District Board of Education has authorized a Bond question for the 2024 ballot. At the August 27 meeting, the BOE unanimously voted 7-0 to place before voters a $490 million Bond.

The bond would be an investment in school safety and security upgrades; Career and Technical Education opportunities for students; and updating, maintaining, equipping, replacing, and constructing educational facilities consistent with the district bond plan to provide safe and adequate learning spaces for students and staff, and to reduce overcrowding.

View the full 2024 DCSD Bond Plan

Neighborhood School Construction ($150 million)

New neighborhood elementary schools and an expansion to one existing middle school are needed to accommodate growth.

Neighborhood Elementary School for Sterling Ranch/Solstice	$60 million
Neighborhood Elementary School for RidgeGate	$60 million
Sierra Middle School Expansion	$30 million
Total Neighborhood School Construction	$150 million

Capital Renewal and Replacement ($179 million)

Investments in maintaining the school district’s 112 buildings ($30 million - $35 million/year) for 3-5 years.

District Educational Facilities Capital Maintenance	$158.5 million
Charter School Facilities Capital Maintenance	$14 million
Emergency Capital Maintenance Allowance	$3 million
LED Upgrades District-Wide	$3 million
Playground Upgrades	$0.5 million
Total Capital Renewal and Replacement	$179 million

DCSD’s 2023-2024 Master Capital Plan estimates the district’s capital needs will be $800 million - $920 million over the next five years.

Transportation ($8.3 million)

Responsible upkeep and replacement of vehicles.

School Bus Replacement	$4.6 million
Support Fleet Vehicle Replacement	$3.7 million
Total Transportation	$8.3 million

Growth and Decline ($20 million)

Responding to growth and decline challenges via facility modifications.

Facility Modifications	$20 million
Total Growth and Decline	$20 million

Security ($10 million)

Continuing to update building security to ensure the school district is adopting the latest recommendations and continuously replacing older equipment.

Security Equipment Replacement/Upgrades	$3.1 million
Radio Communication Upgrades	$3 million
Building Upgrades	$3.9 million
Total Security	$10 million

Career and Technical Education ($38.2 million)

Investments in Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings for students to improve student access and better meet demand for programming.

Legacy Campus Phase II (6 new CTE pathways)	$25.2 million
New Cosmetology Program (Douglas County High School)	$4 million
New Automotive Program (Highlands Ranch High School)	$9 million
Total Career and Technical Education	$38.2 million

Special Education ($15.3 million)

Investments in Special Education facilities, school buses and center-based programming.

Specialized Career and Technical Education Capital Improvements	$2.5 million
Additional Center-Based Programming	$5 million
Student Support Center (Parker) Phase III	$2.1 million
Replacement of Special Education School Buses	$4.7 million
Special Education/ADA-Related Improvements	$1 million
Total Special Education	$15.3 million

Information Technology ($20 million)

Investment in regularly refreshing staff and student information technology devices.

Staff and Student Device Refresh	$20 million
Total Information Technology	$20 million

Athletics and Activities ($12 million)

Investment in upgrading athletic and auditorium facilities.

Athletic Facilities Upgrades	$10.4 million
Auditorium Upgrades	$1.6 million
Total Athletics and Activities	$12 million

Bond Fees and Contingency ($37.1 million)

Contingency (either Bond, Bond Premium, and/or Bond Interest)	$16.3 million
Bond Management Staff and Contractors	$17.5 million
Bond Fee	$2.4 million
Software	$0.9 million
Total Bond Fees and Contingency	$37.1 million

Staff Recommendations to the Board of Education

August 13, 2024

Staff Recommendations Slides