Voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a three-year, $310 million bond proposal and a $20 million mill levy election proposed by the Denver Board of Education.

The bond proposal garnered 56 percent of voter support (47,840 – 37,589); the mill levy proposal earned 59 percent voter approval (50,531 – 35,238).

“The vote means a tremendous step forward for Denver Public Schools,” said Board of Education President Elaine Gantz Berman. “The district has made significant strides in improving student achievement. This incredible support from the community strengthens our ability to keep the momentum going.”

Superintendent Jerry Wartgow thanked Mayor John Hickenlooper for his dedicated campaigning over the last few months and praised the work of district staff – Area Superintendents, principals, and teachers – in working hard to improve student achievement.

“The heartfelt and dedicated support of Mayor Hickenlooper was a vital ingredient in our success,” said Superintendent Wartgow. “But I know that as we campaigned we had a very good story to tell about the tremendous progress being shown in our schools. Without the day-to-day commitment and hard work of our principals, teachers, literacy coaches, Area Superintendents, and all district staff – because we know every role is key in supporting student success – we would not be where we are today with support from voters.”

The bond will yield construction of two new schools to help the district keep pace with growth, renovate and restore schools, assist two charter schools with construction costs, expand the popular Learning Landscapes, boost technology systems, refinance existing loans, and strengthen core school infrastructures.

The bond is scheduled to add a new K-8 school in Green Valley, a new K-8 school in Montbello, eight-classroom additions at Schenck and Gust elementary schools, and major upgrades of the Fred N. Thomas Career Education Center Middle College of Denver and Byers School (150 S. Pearl St.), recently vacated by Denver School of the Arts. Some work at North High School and planning for a major renovation are also included.

The $20 million mill levy proposal will provide $6.5 million for art and music teachers in elementary schools, $2.5 million to revitalize and reconstitute neighborhood schools, $2 million to increase support for capital investments, $3.5 million for new textbooks, $2 million to support middle and high school reforms, and $3.5 million to expand all-day kindergarten and early childhood education opportunities.

A complete list of bond projects and more detail about the mill levy initiatives are available on the web: http://www.dpsk12.org/bond_plans/.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.