The D11 bond referendum is a potential voter-approved measure that would allow Colorado Springs School District 11 to raise funds for school facility improvements. If approved by voters, the bond would provide dedicated funding for capital projects such as building repairs, system replacements, safety upgrades, school modernizations, and new construction where needed.

Bond funds can only be used for physical buildings and school sites. They cannot be used for salaries or daily operating expenses.

District 11 faces significant aging facility needs. The average D11 school building is 58 years old. Current identified repair needs exceed $422 million, and construction costs continue to rise each year.

The District currently has approximately $17 million annually available for capital improvements. At that funding level, D11 can address only urgent repairs, limiting the ability to make meaningful, long-term improvements.

Delaying action reduces buying power and increases the risk of more costly emergency repairs in the future. A bond would allow the District to address priority needs more efficiently and strategically.

Board of Education Decision: June or August (final timing to be confirmed)

Community Vote: November election

If approved, the District will develop a phased implementation plan and communicate that plan publicly. Projects would be rolled out over multiple years, typically across a five-year period, to ensure thoughtful planning, cost efficiency, and minimal disruption to students and staff.

A bond is voter-approved borrowing used for long-term capital construction projects such as new buildings, major renovations, and large system replacements.

A Mill Levy Override (MLO) is voter-approved property tax revenue collected annually above the district’s state "total program" funding. Traditionally, MLOs are meant to support day-to-day operating expenses such as staff salaries, programming, and student supports.

In simple terms: Bond = capital construction debt. MLO = ongoing operating dollars.

Bond funds cannot legally be used for salaries or operational costs.

In Colorado, a school bond allows a district to borrow money upfront for capital projects. The District repays the principal and interest over time through a voter-approved property tax mill levy dedicated to debt service. This allows the District to address facility needs now rather than waiting decades to accumulate sufficient cash reserves.

Every school will receive a significant investment of at least $1 million.

The bond framework includes:

• A baseline investment for all schools
• Additional funding for schools with the greatest facility needs

Project types will vary based on building condition, age, and campus-specific priorities.

D11 used a data-informed process to determine funding allocations.

The District evaluated multiple factors, including:

• Facility Condition Index (FCI)
• Educational Adequacy
• Building Utilization
• Regional distribution across the District

This approach ensures that investments are strategic, equitable, and aligned with actual facility needs while also ensuring all regions of the District receive significant investment.

Bond funding can only be used for capital projects, including:

• New construction
• Major renovations
• Roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system replacements
• Safety and security improvements
• Classroom modernizations
• Technology infrastructure upgrades
• Accessibility improvements
• Site improvements and traffic flow enhancements

Bond funds cannot be used for salaries, benefits, utilities, or administrative costs.

If approved, the mill levy would increase from 37.7 mills to 46.3 mills.

This adjustment would place D11 on level footing with peer and surrounding districts in terms of mill levy rates.

The exact impact on each household depends on the property value from the El Paso County Assessor's Office. The District will provide examples estimating the monthly and annual cost for a range of home values.

No. Bond funds cannot be used for salaries.

However, by addressing facility needs through bond funding, the District may reduce pressure on operational dollars that historically have been redirected to address facility issues. This allows future operating revenue discussions to focus more directly on compensation and programming needs.

Principals and designated bond liaisons are gathering site-specific input based on community feedback and lived experience.

Final project lists will be published prior to the election, detailing planned investments at each campus.

Every student and every school in District 11 benefits. The bond would:

• Improve building reliability and functionality
• Modernize learning environments
• Protect $4.9 billion in public facility assets
• Provide safe, flexible, future-ready spaces for students and staff

Well-maintained schools also support strong neighborhoods and protect community investment.

D11 school facilities are major public assets serving the broader Colorado Springs community. Schools host community meetings, athletic events, performances, and civic activities.

With $4.9 billion in facility assets and only $17 million annually available for capital repairs, the District cannot adequately protect these public investments without voter support.

Investing now helps preserve public infrastructure, protect property values, and ensure strong schools remain anchors in every neighborhood.

At this time, the District does not plan to close schools as part of the bond process.

Research shows that building conditions directly affect student focus, attendance, staff retention, and overall learning experience. Reliable HVAC systems, appropriate lighting, acoustics, and flexible instructional spaces create environments where students can concentrate and teachers can deliver high-quality instruction without disruption.