2021 Annual Bond Summary

2021 Update Bond and Mill Levy Investments Promises Made, Promises Kept

QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

2021 BOND INVESTMENTS The bond, approved by voters in Nov. 2020, funds physical repairs, improvements and the building of new schools. These new funds meant an especially busy year for DPS teams as we carried out the work of implementing the many projects funded by Denver’s generous taxpayers. The work will continue over the next several years - below is a snapshot of the investments that are already positively impacting schools and students:

$188 of $795 million bond dollars invested

$38.2 million

Some DPS buildings are 100 years old; others were built in the last 10. Investments in older school or non-traditional buildings help address facility deficiencies that may impact academics, logistics or culture. 135 schools are receiving funds totaling $29.5 million to improve key learning spaces as decided by school-based teams. Another $34.5 million is dedicated to needed improvements throughout DPS for athletics, outdoor play spaces, science and career readiness.

4 center-based program remodels

22 school-determined investment projects

4 athletic turf fields replaced

of remaining 2016 bond dollars invested Broke ground on 5-acre Food and Nutrition Services greenhouse for growing produce

MAINTENANCE The average age of DPS-owned buildings is 53 years old. With 193 DPS-owned buildings and 16 million square feet to maintain, keeping up with mechanical, electric, and plumbing needs is extremely crucial to the safety and well-being of students and staff. $208 million of bond funds are dedicated to making these critical updates, with another $128 million allocated to installing cooling systems in hotter schools.

5 schools

17 buildings

27 schools

4 buildings

with new cooling systems

with mechanical, electrical or plumbing upgrades or repairs

with general renovation projects

with galvanized pipe replacement

NEW CAPACITY Adding schools and space in areas of the city experiencing growth allows DPS to keep up with enrollment demands. $71 million is dedicated to building new schools in the Gateway neighborhood as well as expanding ECE facilities throughout the city. An additional $130 million will support the rebuild of a new Montbello High School campus.

11.5 acres

land purchased for future elementary school in far northeast Denver

4 buildings

purchased on former Johnson & Wales campus for Denver School of the Arts expansion

The Montbello Campus redesign process engaged 450+ students and 333+ community members in planning conversations, community surveys and dialogue circles

TECHNOLOGY & SAFETY

BUSINESS DIVERSITY

21st-century learning requires student access to robust technology. Bond funds allocated to meeting the needs of all DPS students ensure that they will have the tech skills necessary for the future.

Funding is also being used to update schools with high-quality video and audio security systems to keep buildings as safe as possible.

For over 20 years, the Office of Business Diversity has helped guide DPS’ efforts to involve diverse businesses in our construction projects. The program is the only one of its kind for a Colorado school district, and has helped promote diversity in construction and related contracting for various bondfunded capital improvement projects.

4,273 assistive technology requests

21 local Minority/Women-owned Businesses

MyTech Expansion

35.2% of bond spend

fulfilled for students with disabilities

provided Chromebooks to all remaining middle and high schools, serving over 20,000 students

Raptor Visitor Management

worked on DPS Bond projects in 2021

went to Minority/Women-owned Businesses

system installed at all schools

MILL LEVY INVESTMENTS

Security Camera Refresh and Camera Expansion

The mill levy funds programs within buildings that support staff and students. The following programs were implemented after the passage of the 2020 mill levy override:

projects underway at all schools

$17 million for increased minimum wage and other compensation

$3 million for increased Mental Heath services $4 million for increased Nursing Services $2 million to support Special Education services $7 million for early literacy supports $2.9 million for Summer Academy opportunities $6 million for charter share (required by law)

$32 million in total annual investmevnts

Thanks to the following departments - and to all of Team DPS - for their hard work in ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent in an impactful and equitable manner: • Assistive Technology • Business Diversity • Choice & Planning • Facility Management • Finance • Planning, Design & Construction • Safety • Strategic Sourcing • Technology Services