Destination WPS

Westminster Public Schools asked voters for a bond measure 4C in the 2024 November election to support students of all ages, backgrounds, and interests across the district. The voters approved the measure. Importantly, no new taxes will be increased to voters. This bond measure will further enhance safety and security in our schools and fix aging HVAC systems and infrastructure. WPS will now 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.

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?

The bond will raise debt by $111 million to fund educational priorities and will not raise taxes on property owners.

In the August 27th school board meeting, the Board of Education voted to pursue a bond question in the November's election. Like all Board meetings, this was open to the public with an opportunity for public comment. The voters took the next step and voted to approve Issue 4C at the ballot box with 70.8% voting for the bond extension.

Westminster Public Schools last asked for and received a bond approval in 2006. It will be paid off in full in 2026.

WPS invested those tax dollars wisely building a state-of-the-art high school and middle school while making repairs and safety upgrades across the district. It was an example of Promises made and Promises Kept.

Through strategic refinancing efforts, WPS achieved remarkable savings for taxpayers. The refinance of a 2006 bond, completed in two transactions between the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, resulted in a combined savings to the taxpayers of almost $6 million over the life of the bonds. In 2021, a second refinance was completed, yielding an additional repayment savings of $1.5 million. These efforts reflect a consistent track record of maximizing financial efficiency, benefiting the community, and reinforcing the district's dedication to providing quality education.

• The School Board placed a question 4C on the ballot which voters overwhelmingly approved on election day (70.8% voting yes to 29.92% voting no).
• The newly elected issue 4C will not raise taxes on property owners.
• 4C allows the school district to issue bonds to generate funds to address a wide range of needs today and into the future.