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September 4, 2014 VOLU M E 6 | I SS UE 36 | 5 0 ¢
BrightonBanner.com A D A M S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Overcrowding prompts bond ask D27J student enrollment increases as does its space needs By Tammy Kranz
tkranz@coloradocommunitymedia.com Going to a full-year calendar and an extended daily schedule (6:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) because of overcrowding is not a scare tactic, said District 27J Superintendent Chris Fiedler. It’s a reality unless voters approve a $148 million bond issue in November. “None of these contingency ideas are our best scenarios,” Fiedler said. “We don’t think it’s best for our kids. There is no foreseeable end to this district’s enrollment growth. We may surpass 17,000 students during the 201415 school year and we will be a district of more than 20,000 students in the near future.” By 2030, the district is predicted to double in size to 32,000 students, he added. The district covers portions of Adams, Broomfield and Weld counties. Of the current population, 2,055 students are from the Thornton area, and by 2018 that area will bring about 3,118 students to D27J, an increase of 1,063, according to Joy Gerdom, the district’s planning manager. The cost to homeowners if the $148 million bond passes is about $3.45 per month per $100,000 of home value, according to Suzi DeYoung, chief financial officer. The average home value in the district is about $217,000, so most homeowners would see an increase
Vanessa Kelley goes over a lesson with her fourth-grade students inside a modular classroom at Brantner Elementary in Thornton. District 27J is asking voters to approve a $148 million bond to construct new schools and renovate and expand existing schools – including completing construction at Brantner, which is only partially finished. Photo by Tammy Kranz of $7 per month. The proposed $148 million bond would fund a new high school (the third in the district), two new elementary schools, complete the build-out of Brantner Elementary, expand Overland Trail Middle School and renovate Vikan Middle School. Money would also be available to finish learning space inside the district charter school Eagle Ridge Academy. There will also be funds to update, repair and improve other schools to increase safety features and technology needs. The new high school location will be at
136th Avenue and Yosemite Street in Thornton and would alleviate overcrowding at Prairie View and Brighton High Schools. “The district has done a great job maximizing the space and resources we have, but to accommodate now and for the future, we need the bond issue to pass,” said Patrick Day, president of the District 27J Board of Education. “We’re in desperate need for seats. We’re at a point now where the bond issue is the solution for the future.” To alleviate the overcrowded classrooms, the district has set up modular buildings, im-
plemented a shift schedule and closed open enrollment to out-of-district students at four schools for the 2014-2015 school year. The overcrowding is at a level now that even if the bond issue passes, the district will still have to implement an extended, split schedule temporarily for some classes while the new schools are built, Fiedler said. The modular building at Brantner will be removed by January 2015, if the bond passes, to make room for the new construction. The last successful bond the district passed was in 2006.
Museum event offers a look at the past By Ashley Reimers
areimers@colorado communitymedia.com POSTAL ADDRESS
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OFFICE: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Adams County, Colorado, the Brighton Banner is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210, Westminster, CO 80031. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT BRIGHTON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 8703 Yates Dr., Ste. 210 Westminster, CO 80031 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
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For over 15 years, the Adams County Historical Museum has hosted Family Heritage Day, an opportunity for the community to step back in time and learn about the county’s history. This year’s event will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the museum, 9601 Henderson Road in Brighton and will feature a variety of activities, including a classic car show. From live music to historical storytelling, Family Heritage Day will offer something for everyone. “The event is an opportunity to come and experience great music and the history of Adams County and Colorado,” said Dixie Pierce, museum administrator. “People get to see what life was like and how things were done Heritage continues on Page 5
During Family Heritage Day on Sept. 13 at the Adams County Historical Museum in Brighton, people can enjoy tours of Hoffman Hall, which is filled with historical artifacts like buggies and tractors and also take a tour of an old blacksmith shop. Photos by Ashley Reimers
Fate of first City Hall still unresolved Council still debating fate of one of Brighton’s oldest buildings By Lou Ellen Bromley
bromleyclan@hotmail.com The historic building at 575 Bush St. — at one time was Brighton’s first city hall, later the Brighton Public Library and last served as the Brighton Senior Center — was the center of discussion at Tuesday night’s city council study session. City manager Manuel Esquibel ask city council to allow him and his staff time to look into the possibility of finding a private source to take over, or partner with the city, in the redevelopment of the building as requested by council. Esquibel also brought up the possibly of Brighton leasing or selling the historCity Hall continues on Page 5
The very first City Hall building for Brighton, it was also at one time, the Brighton Public Library and Senior Center before Eagle View Adult Center was built. Photo by Lou Ellen Bromley