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Building a Stronger Future for Our Schools Without Raising Taxes

Future Central High School

We are excited to introduce two critical initiatives that will shape the future of our community and its schools: the D51 Bond and Mill Levy Override initiatives. These measures are designed to enhance the quality of education, improve safety, and ensure the financial stability of our schools WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.

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2024 Bond

The proposed bond will enable us to address essential safety and security upgrades across all D51 schools. We will make significant improvements to learning environments, including renovations for special education and major improvements at Central High School (CHS) and Fruita Monument High School (FMHS).

No Tax Increase if Passed This Year

With the 2004 bond debt being paid off on December 1, 2024, we will see our annual debt payments reduced from $21 million to $18 million. This reduction allows us to issue an additional $190 million in bonds without increasing the current bond mill levy override.

Priority 1 & 2 Repairs and Maintenance

D51 has over 3 million square feet of building space to maintain. The recent Long Range Facility Master Plan has identified an estimated $582 million in needs to address Priority 1 & 2 repairs at all schools. These needs include basic additions like roof and HVAC replacements that will be needed by many of our schools in the next 10 years.

2024 Mill Levy

Since 2009, the State of Colorado has withheld close to $250 million from D51 schools. Extending the Mill Levy Override is essential to maintaining student contact days, updating curriculum and supporting technology positions. This measure is crucial for the continuity and quality of education our children deserve. It's up to our local community to support our schools with dollars that will stay here in Mesa County.

Retain Student Contact Days

Maintaining student contact days is essential for providing consistent, high-quality education to our children. By supporting the D51 Mill Levy Override, we can ensure that our schools have the necessary funding to keep classrooms open, provide updated curriculum and support in-school technology positions. Extending the Mill Levy Override will help bridge the gap left by state funding shortfalls, allowing us to continue delivering the education our students deserve without interruptions. Your support is crucial in maintaining a stable and enriching learning environment for all students in our community.

Responsible and Balanced Use of Funds

We are committed to the responsible and effective use of resources. Our financial strategy focuses on increasing competitive staff salaries while being fiscally responsible and planning for the future. This year, the average teacher and counselor salary increased, and we returned to a step and lane salary structure all achieved without asking for a tax increase.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A bond is similar to a mortgage for a home. It is a type of debt issued by school districts to fund educational facilities and infrastructure, repaid over time with interest, usually through property taxes.
Bonds raise significant capital for large-scale projects like building new schools, renovating facilities, and updating technology that regular budgets cannot cover.
State funding does not cover major capital needs, so districts must issue bonds to finance these essential projects.
The 1996, 2017, and 2021 bonds funded projects such as new school construction, renovations, technology upgrades, and safety improvements. All previous projects were completed on time and under budget
We have a 25-year master plan addressing facility conditions, educational adequacy, and utilization, with an estimated $582 million needed for priority repairs over the next decade.
The 2024 bond aims to fund safety and security enhancements, priority maintenance, improved learning environments, and major renovations to Central High School and Fruita Monument High School, without increasing taxes.
The 2004 debt will be paid off, allowing us to restructure debt for additional bond dollars without raising taxes. Missing this window delays opportunities until 2041.
The bond will enhance safety, update facilities, improve learning environments, address urgent maintenance needs, and it includes major renovations at Central High School and Fruita Monument High School without increasing taxes.
An MLO is a voter-approved property tax increase for operational expenses like teacher salaries and instructional materials, not for capital improvements. Mill levy override dollars stay local to support schools in Mesa County.
MLOs provide additional operational funding when state funding is insufficient, ensuring the quality of education and school operations. These are local tax dollars that stay local.
MLOs can be temporary or permanent, with durations set at the time of voter approval, and can be extended or renewed through additional votes.
Critical needs like additional student contact days, staff pay, curriculum updates, and technology support will lose funding, impacting the quality of education.
Participate in the ballot initiative, encourage your friends and family to support these important issues, donate to the campaign, volunteer, and most importantly, vote in November for both ballot issues.

Testimonials

Curtis Englehart

Executive Director: Grand Junction Economic Partnership

"As a community, we have a responsibility to ensure that our schools are equipped to meet the needs of every student. The D51 bond and mill levy initiatives represent a crucial step in this direction, addressing critical infrastructure needs, enhancing educational programs, and fostering innovation. This is more than just a financial investment—it's an investment in our collective future, paving the way for the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators."

Cody Davis

County Commissioner

"Investing in our schools today is an investment in our community's future. The D51 bond and mill levy initiatives will ensure our children have the resources they need to succeed."

Cody Kennedy

Grand Junction City Council District A

"As a member of the Grand Junction City Council and someone who values the long-term prosperity of our community, I wholeheartedly support ballot issues 4A and 4B, the D51 Bond and Mill Levy Override. These measures offer a rare opportunity to significantly improve our schools without increasing taxes—a win for our children and for Grand Junction's future.

By voting YES on 4A and 4B, we will equip our educators and students with the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. Upgrading school facilities, improving safety, and providing essential learning tools are vital steps toward building a brighter future for Mesa County.

This investment in our schools also invests in our workforce and local economy. When we support our students today, we strengthen the foundation for tomorrow's workforce—ensuring that Grand Junction remains a place where businesses want to invest and grow.

I encourage all residents to vote YES on 4A and 4B this November. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community's future without adding to taxpayers' burden.

Let's take this opportunity to build a stronger future for our children and Grand Junction.

Together, let's do what's best for Grand Junction!

Rick Taggart

Colorado State Representative for House District 55

"Our students deserve the best, and the D51 Bond (4A) and Mill Levy (4B) initiatives will provide the necessary resources to help them thrive. This is a vital step forward for our community."

Endorsements

""As a community, we have a responsibility to ensure that our schools are equipped to meet the needs of every student. The D51 bond and mill levy initiatives represent a crucial step in this direction, addressing critical infrastructure needs, enhancing educational programs, and fostering innovation. This is more than just a financial investment—it's an investment in our collective future, paving the way for the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators."

""Investing in our schools today is an investment in our community's future. The D51 bond and mill levy initiatives will ensure our children have the resources they need to succeed."

""As a member of the Grand Junction City Council and someone who values the long-term prosperity of our community, I wholeheartedly support ballot issues 4A and 4B, the D51 Bond and Mill Levy Override. These measures offer a rare opportunity to significantly improve our schools without increasing taxes—a win for our children and for Grand Junction's future."

Kelly Johnston

Chair of the Board, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

""At the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), we recognize that workforce development is the foundation of sustainable economic growth. A robust education system is critical to building the talent pipeline that supports primary jobs and strengthens our region's competitive advantage. That's why we fully support the D51 Bond and Mill Levy initiatives."

""Investing in our schools is investing in the workforce of Mesa County's future. By passing these measures, we will not only upgrade school facilities and enhance safety, but also equip students and educators with the resources to excel in today's economy. These improvements will directly contribute to the development of a highly skilled workforce—ensuring that local industries can thrive and that Grand Junction is an attractive destination for new businesses and primary employers."

""Supporting these initiatives is more than a commitment to education; it's a strategic investment in our region's economic resilience, growth, and innovation. We urge residents to vote YES on the D51 Bond and Mill Levy this November to strengthen our workforce and drive long-term prosperity for Mesa County."

""Together, let's build a stronger workforce, a vibrant community, and a prosperous future."

Sincerely,

Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) Board of Directors

Future Central High School

Building a Stronger Future for Our Schools Without Raising Taxes

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Paid for by Citizens for D51 Schools, Registered Agent Katie Kennedy

Checks can be written to: Citizens for D51 Schools

Checks can be sent to: 2536 Rimrock Ave Suite 400-190 Grand Junction, CO 81505

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