Bond 2017 - Widefield School District 3

Bond Oversight Committee

The Bond Oversight Committee is charged with monitoring bond projects to assure all projects are completed in concert with established priorities. To meet this charge, the committee will receive reports, no less than monthly, from district construction management, district finance administration, or other appropriate district staff.

Meeting Minutes:

Boundary Committee

The Boundary Committee will study the current district enrollment boundaries and prospective future boundaries needed as a result of the new school construction. The committee will use a collaborative input model to make boundary recommendations to the superintendent. Ultimately, the decision about boundary changes must be approved by the Board of Education.

Meeting Minutes

Believe In Widefield

BELIEVE IN LEGACY

We believe a Widefield graduate should be life long learner with the skills necessary to succeed after high school. We’ve heard it takes a village to raise a child, and our Widefield village has succeeded in bringing up generations of children who have left a legacy in our community and beyond.

BELIEVE IN OUR COMMUNITY

Widefield School District 3 is more than an education, it's a lifestyle.
Our community supporters provide rich resources that encompass who we are and our mission to make a positive impact each and every day.

The district has a strong and proud military tradition that supports our military personnel, veterans, and their families. We work directly with Fort Carson to provide support services to ensure a smooth transition.
WSD3 is also the only school district in Colorado to own and operate a parks and recreation department that offers fitness classes, sports, swimming, and preschool.
We are proud partners with the Security Public Library and the Fountain Valley Senior Center whom we do several activities and programs with throughout the year.
Each year the district puts on a "Community Day" to highlight our schools and showcase how we make a positive impact. The day begins with a district parade followed by a cookout and football game between Mesa Ridge and Widefield high schools.

BELIEVE IN EDUCATION

"Education is the most powerful weapon in which you can use to change the world." ~ Nelson Mandela

Since 2002, we have been able to create and retain unique programs and opportunities for our students to make sure they are set up for success:

Engineering and Biomedical Sciences - Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
Award-winning music programs
Robotics & Coding
Dual credit courses
Expanded Advanced Placement (AP) classes
Received "Innovation" status by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for FOUR schools including: Talbott STEAM Innovation School, Grand Mountain School, Widefield Elementary School of the Arts, and King Elementary
Created the Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (MILL) for manufacturing and construction programs

Financial Responsibility

BOND 1996

It's been 21 years since Widefield School District went to taxpayers and asked for money. At that time our district was bursting at the seams with new growth. Voters supported the district's need for a new high school, Mesa Ridge High School. The new school helped relieve an abundance of facility and classroom issues creating a more comfortable and positive learning environment for students. The $20 million bond at that time also helped with various other facility projects around the district.

MILL LEVY 2002

It's been 15 years since we've asked voters to approve a mill levy in Widefield School District. In 2002, a $3.95 million mill levy was passed to attract and retain quality teachers and staff, and to create and expand programs for students.

DISTRICT DOLLARS

The district prides itself on being financially responsible. We only ask taxpayers for help when its truly needed. Up until now, Widefield School District has been able to use grants, partnerships, and reserves to fund major projects such as the building of our transportation center, the remodel of King Elementary, and repurposing of North Elementary into a thriving preschool program. We've been able to create unique career pathways to include engineering, cyber security, and manufacturing. Everything we have done has been to help students succeed.

STATE FUNDING CRISIS

With the continued state funding cuts, our school district will not be able to continue to maintain the standard of education that your students deserve. The state has cut our school district alone a total of $62 million dollars since 2009. This year that amount is $8.3 million. With no solution in sight, despite numerous attempts by Colorado superintendents and educational leaders, we have to turn to our local taxpayers for help. For more details on school district budget cuts and school finance visit: Colorado School Finance Project or Great Education Colorado.

NOW WHAT?

The board of education approved two ballot questions, 3A & 3B, regarding a Mill Levy Override and Bond.
BOND - The $49.5 million bond would be used to build a new pre-K through 8 school in the eastern part of our school district, make critical repairs to current school buildings, reduce the amount of portable classrooms, and provide upgrades to transportation and technology.
MILL - The $3.5 million mill levy override would be used to provide competitive pay to attract and retain quality teachers and maintain educational programs like our award-winning music and arts, engineering and biomedical sciences, and other career pathways. Both the bond and mill levy will cost homeowners $9.25 a month, per $100,000 of property value.

Grand Mountain School

The above photo is a rendering from LKA Partners of Grand Mountain School (Prek-8) in Lorson Ranch. Grand Mountain School received Computer Science Innovation Status, which will allow them the flexibility in their schedule and curriculum to integrate their focus into the school day.

The new school opened August 9, 2019. Thank you to Nunn Construction and LKA Partners in helping create the building. To learn more about Grand Mountain School's Journey, view their "Our Journey" page.

School Projects

BOND DOLLARS AT WORK

The below list of school/building bond projects happening across the district include hyperlinks to videos that highlight most of the projects taking place.

Discovery High School

Facility Upgrades

French Elementary School

Technology & Facility Upgrades

James Madison Charter Academy

Technology & Facility Upgrades

Mesa Ridge High School

Auditorium Renovations

Courtyard Outdoor Seating Upgrades

Sproul Junior High

Counseling Center Remodel

Sunrise Elementary

Technology & Facility Upgrades

Transportation Center

Fueling Station

Webster Elementary

Technology & Playground Upgrades

Widefield Elementary

Playground Upgrades

Electrical Renovations

Widefield High School

Auditorium: Complete Renovation

North Preschool	Classroom Projectors
JMCA	Gym Floor Classroom Computers Makerspace Materials 3-D Steam Printer Playground Hardtop
French	Chromebooks Computer Carts Flexible Seating Restroom Signs
King	Chromebooks Computer Carts/Accessories 3-D Materials Water Fountains Security Cameras Psychologist Telephone
Pinello	Playground Equipment Parking Lot Traffic Fence Basement Wall for Special Service Provider Space Classroom Projectors
Sunrise	Chromebooks Computer Carts Shelves Flexible Seating
Talbott	Student Desks Sound System Playground Equipment STEAM Materials/Kiln Computer Cart Chromebooks
Venetucci	Chairs Desks Tables Shelving
Webster	Musical Playground Equipment and Rockwall iPads Chromebooks Computer Cart
Widefield Elementary	Musical Playground Equipment Chromebooks Counseling Flexible Seating
Janitell JH	Library Seating Student Lockers Portable Sound System Football Scoreboard Basketball/Gym Motor Pulls Front Office Décor Die Cutter
Sproul JH	Chromebooks Computer Carts Gym Benches Multi-Purpose Chairs Marquee Update
Watson JH	Restroom Renovations Water Stations Benches Trees/Drip line
Discovery HS	Classroom Desks/Chairs Computer Lab Flexible Seating Counseling and Main Office Seating Storage Cabinets New Mascot Signage Social Studies Maps
Mesa Ridge HS	Courtyard seating Water Stations
Widefield HS	Bleachers Table/Stools Table Tennis Picnic Tables Water Station Portable Speaker System Sound System Projector Screen Cafeteria Projector System