Douglas County voters will be asked in November to approve a $66 million mill levy override and $484 million bond for the school district to invest in increasing staff pay and building three new schools. 

During the Aug. 8 meeting, the school board voted unanimously to approve ballot language for the bond and mill levy override, as well as a bond plan and salary schedule, which outlines how all of the money will be spent. 

Superintendent Erin Kane said the district needs the funding to offer competitive pay and address the need for new schools and building maintenance. Since the bond and mill levy questions failed last November, Kane said the district’s situation has gotten more dire. 

“In 2022, it was urgent and we have definitely reached critical,” she said, pointing to the district’s move to rolling cancellations for bus routes and numerous vacant positions, including 52 teachers, 155 educational assistants and 104 bus drivers. 

The $66 million mill levy override would be used exclusively for staff pay and benefits and school security staff, while the $484 million bond would go to the district’s capital needs. 

If the mill levy override were to pass, teachers  would get an average 9% raise, classified staff would see a 9% raise and other staff would receive a 7% raise. The increase would make Douglas County’s starting pay $50,182, which is more comparable to surrounding districts. The current starting pay is $45,209.

The mill levy override ask includes $6 million to fund additional school resource officers and school security specialists. 

A majority of the bond, $226 million, would be dedicated to building elementary schools in Sterling Ranch, the Canyons and Crystal Valle, as well as expanding Sierra and Mesa middle schools. The bond would also fund security updates, building maintenance, career and technical education, special education and athletics and activities. 

If both the bond and mill levy override pass, taxpayers would see a $20 increase per $100,000 of their residential property value. For example, a $1 million home would pay $200 per year. 

School board members were united in their support for the funding measures.

“When I look at the consequences of not putting these measures on the ballot, I simply cannot look the other direction,” said Vice President Christy Williams . “Our teachers are doing more for less, but that is only realistic for so long.”

Several community members, students and district staff also urged the board to support the bond and mill levy override. 

Olivia Abeyta, Kennedy Layfield and Kaitlin Anderson, seniors at Chaparral High School, said they’ve experienced how a lack of funding impacts their school, including seeing teachers leave, learning in leaky classrooms and using old technology.

“Funding is truly the most important thing to ensure that future students experience what we did growing up,” Layfield said. “With all of the wonderful opportunities DCSD has given students, why stop now?” 

A few speakers questioned the timing of asking for more funding during a year where property taxes will increase. The Douglas County GOP issued a statement opposing the bond and mill levy override because of the tax increase. 

However, none of the speakers denied Douglas County’s funding needs.

Christa Gilstrap, campaign manager for Invest in DCSD, the political issue committee supporting the funding questions, said she’s feeling optimistic as more people than last year are already donating and volunteering.

“I’m happy to report that this year not only did we not lose momentum, but we have gained it,” Gilstrap said. “We’re seeing the community come together to support our schools. We’ve already raised almost as much as money this year as we did the entire campaign last year.”

Invest in DCSD is hosting a campaign launch party from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 13 at Rhyolite Park in Crystal Valley.

*Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described how bond money would be allocated. The majority, $226 million, will be used to build three elementary schools and expand two middle schools.