and
Levy Investments Promises Made, Promises Kept
2022 Update Bond
Mill
2022 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:
$333 of $971 million bond dollars invested
MAINTENANCE
$26.8 million of remaining 2016 bond dollars invested
The average age of DPS-owned buildings is 53 years old. With 182 DPS-owned buildings, 8 leased 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.
7 schools with new cooling systems
27 schools with mechanical, electrical or plumbing upgrades or repairs
NEW CAPACITY
6 buildings with galvanized pipe replacement
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
QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
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
5 athletic turf fields replaced
48 school-determined investment projects
3 middle school STEM labs
Broke ground on 5-acre Food and Nutrition Services greenhouse for growing produce
*Total 2020 bond proceeds inclusive of additional dollars generated due to market conditions (premium)*
TECHNOLOGY & SAFETY
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.
7,480 assistive technology requests
fulfilled for students with disabilities
MyTech Expansion
• Continuing to support 1:1 Chromebook models at all middle and high schools
• Established a Hardware Repair internship program to certify students on Chromebook repairs, hosting students since 2021 and will be expanding into apprenticeship opportunities next year
Raptor Visitor Management
system installed at all schools
Security Camera Refresh and Camera Expansion
projects underway at all schools
Access Control System Expansion
All schools went under evaluation, gaps were identified and resolved
Data Center Computer Refresh
Added additional server and storage to support DPS software systems
Information Security
Added additional tools for identifying and mitigating malicious emails received by students and staff.
BUSINESS DIVERSITY
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.
Over 30% of bond spend went to Minority/Women-owned Businesses
We anticipate at the end of this bond over 150 local women and minority-owned businesses will have worked on the bond.
MILL LEVY INVESTMENTS
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:
$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
$7 million for charter share (required by law)
$33 million in total annual investmevnts
KEY PROJECTS FOR 2023
We want to thank the entire Denver community who have invested in our schools through their active participation and interest in DPS and its success as an organization. Thank you Denver voters, and a huge thank you to the Bond Oversight Committee for your dedication to students and families.
10 schools will start AC/cooling projects in 2023
Ceylon Campus groundbreaking in far Northeast Denver
Denver School of the Arts will break ground on new renovations
Glenbrook Greenhouse Ribbon-cutting for new one-acre greenhouse facility
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Early College
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for CHSAA-sized new gymnasium
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
