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Press Release - B.E.S.T. Plan to Repair School, Create Jobs

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

 

CONTACTS:

Eric Rothaus, 720.519.3760, eric.rothaus@state.co.us

Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

 

 

B.E.S.T. PLAN TO REPAIR SCHOOLS & CREATE HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS

 

State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, Gov. Bill Ritter, Sen. Gail Schwartz, former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and other state legislators said today the state's economy will be just one of the beneficiaries of the State Board of Education's first round of BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grants.

 

"These grants represent the single greatest investment of state dollars into Colorado school buildings in the history of the state," Kennedy said. "The BEST plan will put hundreds of people to work, and soon. But not only that, it finally starts us on the path to repairing and renovating our most dilapidated schools."

 

The State Board has approved grants to 11 districts with total project costs of more than $98 million. The state share of that amount will be about $76 million, with the remainder coming as matching funds from the local districts. Most of these first grants will go to the San Luis Valley and the Eastern Plains, directly creating or retaining an estimated 600 jobs.

 

Kennedy helped legislators craft the BEST plan last year and Gov. Ritter signed it into law in May 2008.  It leverages income from the state's School Trust Lands, property the federal government granted to Colorado for the benefit of school children upon statehood. School Trust Lands are dedicated to the support of K-12 education. 

 

Gov. Ritter said that BEST has the double benefit of supporting Colorado students and boosting Colorado's economy.

 

"This is a great example of the student-centered thinking that is leading this state forward," Gov. Ritter said. "We are committed to creating the best-educated workforce in America, but we can't do it in schools that are falling down around our students. Today's announcement also means we could see shovels in the ground on many of these projects by the end of summer, which will translate into hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in communities throughout Colorado."

 

Sen. Schwartz, one of the sponsors of the legislation that created the BEST plan, said this was one of her most gratifying moments as a lawmaker.

 

"I am grateful to the state board of education for approving the BEST board recommendations," said Schwartz. "This is a landmark achievement that is the result of a long-term, collaborative commitment to provide all students in Colorado with a 21st century education."

 

Romanoff, the House sponsor of the bill, had toured school districts in his final year in the legislature and was struck by what he saw.  "We have schools where the roof is caving in and where desks are literally falling through the floor.  The quality of your education shouldn't depend on your zip code." 

 

The approval given by the State Board of Education represents the first in what is expected to be several rounds of grants to school districts across the state.  Ultimately, the BEST plan could leverage $30 million to $40 million of revenue annually from the School Trust Lands, generating up to $500 million in state dollars. Local matching funds could raise another $400 million to $500 million, bringing the total to nearly $1 billion for school capital construction.

 

School districts that will receive BEST grants under the first round of funding:

 

  • Alamosa School District RE-11J; two new elementary schools will replace three elementary schools; Alamosa County
  • Buffalo School District RE-4; junior/senior high school renovation/addition; Logan County
  • Centennial School District R-1; new PK-12 school; Costilla County
  • Edison School District 54-JT; new elementary school; El Paso County
  • Holly School District RE-3; partial roof replacement; Prowers County
  • Mountain Valley School District RE-1; roofing and repair under designed structure; Saguache County
  • Pueblo City Schools; final phase to district-wide fire and security; Pueblo County
  • Sangre De Cristo School District RE-22J; new PK-12 school; Alamosa County
  • Sargent School District RE-33J; new junior/senior high school and elementary school renovation; Rio Grande County
  • South Routt School District RE-3; district-wide HVAC replacement with renewable technology; Routt County
  • Weldon Valley School District RE-20(J); core area remodel, physical education and athletic facilities upgrade; Morgan County

 

[Digital photos of conditions in some schools receiving grants provided below, courtesy of Great Education Colorado]

 

Mountain Valley School District (Saguache):

http://albums.phanfare.com/5003327/2206658_2379290#imageID=32605702

 

Centennial School District:

http://albums.phanfare.com/5003327/2206658_2379295#imageID=32605315

 

Edison School District:

http://albums.phanfare.com/5003327/2206658_2379293#imageID=32605520

 

South Routt School District:

http://albums.phanfare.com/5003327/2206658_2379285#imageID=32606215

 

Holly School District:

http://albums.phanfare.com/5003327/2206658_2379281#imageID=32606578