2024 Investing In Our Schools Bond

Citizen Bond Oversight Committee

In January 2025, the district invites people to join the 2024 Citizen Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). This is a group of volunteers who make sure school bonds are spent as promised. Their role is to be the eyes and ears of the community. They oversee the process, validate that spending conforms to ballot language, and review the budget. CBOC volunteers do not need to have children who currently attend Durango School District, but they must provide proof that they live in La Plata County by submitting a home address.

Long-Range Planning Committee

As the district focuses on providing the optimal learning environment that is safe, modernized for today’s student needs, and geared toward our Portrait of a Graduate vision, input from community stakeholders is vital. The 9-R Board of Education has convened the Long-Range Planning Committee to review facilities and plan for future renovations and new constructions.This committee, which includes district employees, community members, and business representatives, has met for over a year to identify priorities and guide the district on critical issues.

Bond priorities

The district is focusing on addressing aging facilities and the community's identified needs for learning outcomes. While the Long-Range Planning Committee identified nearly $250 million in needs, the district is using a phased approach to begin addressing these needs. The bond measure will increase taxes around $14 per month for a home valued at $500,000. Priorities include:

• Complete facilities improvements to enhance learning outcomes: Electrical, mechanical, roofing, plumbing, and safety upgrades for nearly all buildings.
• Build Three Springs Elementary School to serve an area of high growth better and replace the aging Florida Mesa Elementary campus.
• Consolidate building space, reduce or eliminate several leased facilities, and invest in long-term solutions to reduce long-term costs.
• Update mechanical and safety systems for some buildings.
• Invest in a sustainability/energy project, including LED lighting, solar arrays, water waste reduction, and new insulation, to cut costs.
• Build a SOIL Inspire Center to support Career Connected Learning, featuring a workshop, commercial and demonstration kitchen, and indoor growing facilities.
• Replace classroom equipment and furniture that is over 20 years old to improve the learning environment for students and teachers.
• To retain teachers and maintain educational excellence, the district is considering building employee housing, or partnering with others to create some priority options for staff, due to the significant rise in housing costs in Durango.