Mapleton Public Schools

August 24, 2022

Mapleton Public Schools Board of Education places $9 million mill levy override on November ballot

Thornton/Denver – In response to the recommendations and requests from families and community members, Mapleton’s Board of Education is asking voters to support a $9 million mill levy override on the November 2022 ballot. The board voted unanimously in favor of the measure during a regularly scheduled business meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The mill levy prioritizes school safety and security improvements, including mental health support, enhanced career and technical opportunities for students, competitive pay for teachers and staff, and building maintenance and replacements.

“We listened to our community, we heard their concerns as well as their desires,” said Mapleton Public Schools Board President Cynthia Croisant. “This is an important next step to continue to improve the safety at all of our buildings and enhance our learning environments for all children so that each child comes to school every day feeling safe, challenged, and engaged in their education.”

Superintendent Charlotte Ciancio thanked the Board of Education for showing the Mapleton community and staff that they are valued.

The top priority for mill levy funds, in response to urgings expressed in a community survey and Facilities Task Force meetings last spring, is safety and security enhancements across the school district. These improvements would also increase mental health support and counseling for students.

Additionally, the mill levy would help enhance career and technical preparation for students, update instructional technology and resources and increase and maintain competitive salaries to attract and retain the best teachers and staff to work with students.

“Going to the voters can be challenging, but it is the right thing to do, and these changes must be made,” said Croisant. “These improvements will set our students up for success after they leave us and improve their experience with us until they do.”

Finally, the funds would not only maintain the district’s current school buildings but would also help repair or replace the district’s “Final Four.” Those are four school buildings that have served the district well for more than 60 years but have only received modest upgrades and improvements since they opened. The schools: Achieve Academy, Meadow Community School, Preschool on Poze, and York International School, are the last buildings the district determined had exceeded useful life in its 2006 Facilities Master Plan. When voters approve this election question, the district has the potential to receive approximately $23 million to offset the cost to the community to rebuild Meadow and potentially millions more for the other three buildings.

With the 2010 bond and 2016 bond and mill levy, along with nearly $80 million in grants through the Building Excellent Schools Today Program, Mapleton has improved many school buildings throughout the district. This is the first time the Board of Education has considered a ballot measure in six years.

About Mapleton Public Schools
Mapleton Public Schools is an internationally accredited public school district located in the Thornton/North Denver area of unincorporated Adams County. We are committed to raising expectations, providing choices for learning, and removing obstacles for all students so that we can guarantee all students achieve their dreams and enthusiastically contribute to their community, country, and world. Located in one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado, Mapleton covers 25 square miles and serves suburban, rural, and light industrial communities, with new neighborhoods and developments popping up every year. Mapleton serves more than 7,000 students in small-by-design brick-and-mortar schools and one K-12 online school. Visit www.mapleton.us to learn more about Mapleton Public Schools.