Dear Students, Staff, Parents, and Community:
As you may know, Dolores School District and its community members have been working diligently to find ways to address deficiencies at our school buildings. Some of our school buildings have major health and safety issues that need to be addressed immediately in order to provide a safe learning environment for our students.
On March 2, 2012 the district submitted an application to the Colorado Department of Educations Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program. On June 28, 2012, the Public School Capital Assistance Board narrowed a long list of project applications statewide and recommended Dolores School District for BEST funding! This grant is contingent upon a matching bond commitment from the community. This is most likely the final opportunity to rebuild and remodel with a 43 percent-off coupon!
On November 6, 2012, registered voters in the Dolores School District boundary will have the opportunity to vote on the matching bond to cover part of the total cost. If the election is successful, the state will provide 43 percent of the funding necessary to rebuild parts our campus to ensure the health and safety of our student. If the election fails the money from the state will not be available to our community.
Our BEST grant money, matched by the communitys support of the bond for $3.47 million will address these needs:
Provide a new Science/Ag building. The current facility is projected to fail in a few years. This nearly condemned building will not be usable much longer. We have to rebuild now!
Elementary students must walk outside on icy covered cement and around delivery trucks to access the computer lab, library, and the cafeteria, creating safety concerns
Crowded locker rooms, no separation between middle and high school students, and nearly unusable showers, creating safety concerns
Lack of a bathroom that meets ADA requirements for people with special needs for accessibility
We need dedicated volunteers to join our bond election committee. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please contact the District Office at 970-882-7255 and help to make a positive difference for our students and community.
Providing our students with a protected, clean learning environment is our main goal. This project is projected to be finished in time for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Please encourage your family, community, church, and neighborhood to learn about this project and vote on November 6th.
Thanks for your support!
Scott Cooper
Superintendent, Dolores Schools