WESTMINSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS BALLOT ISSUE 4C

Westminster Public Schools (WPS) is committed to its tradition of meeting the educational needs of the local community. To accomplish this both today and into the near future, the district needs additional funding.

On August 27, 2024, the WPS Board of Education referred a question to the November 5 ballot. WPS will be asking voters to allow the district to extend its debt by $111 million to fund infrastructure needed for educational priorities. This can be accomplished without a tax increase by maintaining the tax formula approved by voters in 2006. A recent survey highlighted several community needs, including:

• CTE and STEM expansion
• Enhanced school security
• Opportunities to earn college credits
• Access to industry training, certifications, and credentials
• Ability to connect with employers and get jobs within a chosen pathways
• Upgraded HVAC systems in school buildings

Westminster Public Schools will be asking voters for a bond measure 4C in the November election to support students of all ages, backgrounds, and interests across the district. Importantly, this can be accomplished without any tax increase to voters. A successful bond measure will further enhance safety and security in our schools and fix aging HVAC systems and infrastructure. Voter approval will significantly expand CTE and STEM pathways, including the Iver C. Ranum Innovation Campus, Westminster High School, and our PK-8 schools. These pathways prepare students and community members with competitive, work-ready skills and credentialing that benefit the community and strengthen our neighborhoods. These pathways also give a head start to students interested in pursuing higher education at community colleges and universities.

4C BALLOT LANGUAGE

WESTMINSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS BALLOT ISSUE 4C

WITHOUT IMPOSING ANY NEW TAX, SHALL WESTMINSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT DEBT BE INCREASED $111 MILLION, WITH A MAXIMUM TOTAL REPAYMENT COST OF NOT MORE THAN $237.5 MILLION, FOR THE PURPOSES OF:

PROVIDING STUDENT SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS;

EXPANDING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) AND SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS TO EARN WORKFORCE CERTIFICATIONS AND JOB EXPERIENCE;

UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOL BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY;

UPGRADING THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) UNITS IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS;

AND FOR ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING OR IMPROVING ANY CAPITAL ASSETS THAT THE DISTRICT IS AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO OWN;

AND SHALL THE TAXES AUTHORIZED AT THE DISTRICT’S BOND ELECTION IN 2006 BE EXTENDED AND AUTHORIZED TO BE USED TO PAY THE DEBT AUTHORIZED AT THIS ELECTION IN ADDITION TO THE DEBT AUTHORIZED AT SUCH PRIOR ELECTION;

SUCH DEBT TO BE EVIDENCED BY THE ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, WHICH SHALL BEAR INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED, DATED AND SOLD AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES, AT SUCH PRICES (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE DISTRICT MAY DETERMINE; AND SHALL THE MILL LEVY BE IMPOSED IN EACH YEAR, WITHOUT LIMITATION AS TO RATE, IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS AND ANY BONDS ISSUED TO REFINANCE SUCH BONDS AND TO FUND ANY RESERVES FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF;

AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT PUBLISHED ON THE DISTRICT’S WEBSITE AND EXPENDITURES WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY A BOARD APPOINTED CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE?