Skip To Main Content

Mapleton Public Schools

2022 "Final Four" School Buildings

 

Design Phase

 

The “Final Four” - Achieve Academy, Meadow Community School, Preschool on Poze, and York International School have all received modest upgrades and improvements. With the success of the 2022 $9 million Mill Levy, override we will begin to replace each building, starting with Meadow Community School. 

What is a mill levy override? 

Each school district can request additional local funding (up to 25% more) through a local Mill Levy Override (MLO). This funding is generally used for operations, including salaries, staffing, and student programming.

Mapleton currently receives 9.6% additional funding thanks to previous mill levy overrides. However, neighboring school districts are closer to or at the full 25%, making it difficult for Mapleton to address important safety and security needs, recruit and retain high-quality staff in all schools and departments, and maintain programs and facilities.
 

What is the proposed mill levy override and what would it pay for?

The mill levy override is a community-driven investment and improvement plan that will:

  • Enhance safety and security across the school district
  • Enhance career and technical preparation for students
  • Increase competitive salaries for teachers and staff
  • Update instructional technology and resources
  • Maintain school buildings and grounds
  • Replace the four school buildings that have served the district well for more than 60 years that have only received modest upgrades and improvements
    • Achieve Academy (formerly Bertha Heid Elementary)
    • Meadow Community School
    • Preschool on Poze
    • York International School (the high school addition will be renovated to meet the needs of the new building design)

School Building Replacements

Preschool on Poze/Explore PreK-8

Acquire, construct, and equip a new primary school facility near 104th Avenue and York Street for Explore PK-8 to accommodate expanded preschool programming and additional growth

York International School

Replace older portion of the building (retaining the newer portion of the building) to serve students in grades PK-12

Meadow Community School

Replace the school building to serve students in grades PK-8 with the support of BEST grant funding opportunity

Achieve Academy

Replace school building to serve students in grades PK-8

 

Who took part in deciding what to pay for with the mill levy?

In late 2021, Mapleton Public Schools retained Corona Insights to conduct a survey of employees, students, and parents/guardians. The goal of this research was to examine the opinions and perceptions of the school district within our community by measuring satisfaction and identifying areas for potential improvement. Parents/Guardians indicated they would be in support of a tax increase that prioritized enhanced school safety and security and increased teacher and staff pay.

In spring 2022, Mapleton held a series of virtual and in-person task force meetings looking at current and future district needs. Families, staff, community members, and students expressed support for a funding measure that would assure forward momentum on important safety and security enhancements, competitive wages for teachers and staff, career and technical preparation opportunities, and building maintenance and improvements. Specifically, community members and families identified replacing the four school buildings that have served the district well over the years and received only modest upgrades and improvements as an important way to guarantee all Mapleton students have access to safe, engaging, and functional buildings to learn and thrive.

 

Did Mapleton receive a BEST grant to help defray the cost of construction?

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 through BEST.

Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) is a state-funded grant program that partially funds capital construction needs in school districts across Colorado.  The BEST program focuses on helping public schools with capital construction needs, from new roofs and boilers to major renovations and new schools. The goal of the BEST program is to provide first-class, high-performing, 21st-century facilities and to help alleviate health and safety concerns throughout Colorado.  To date, Mapleton has received more than $72 million in BEST grants for building construction, nearly doubling the impact of each community dollar.

How much will the mill levy override cost taxpayers in Mapleton?

Cost to residents of county assessed home value

   

Per Month

Per Year

 

Per $100,000 home value

$5.40

 $64.85

For the average home in Mapleton

$24.03

$288.36

 

What happens to the money that school districts get from the sales tax on marijuana?

Currently, the only way Colorado schools may receive funds from the sales tax on legalized marijuana is through a competitive grant program known as BEST, Building Excellent Schools Today.  A small portion of the sales tax collected by the state from legalized marijuana is earmarked for the state’s BEST grant program which funds school construction across the state.  School districts must apply to receive funds from BEST. This year the demand for BEST money far exceeded the available funds with more than 50 districts and schools applying for grants. With the average cost of a new, small elementary school between $25 and $35 million, the BEST money doesn’t meet the growing need in Colorado’s school districts.