In a unanimous vote, The Westminster Public Schools Board of Education acted Tuesday night to place a bond on the November 2024 ballot to raise to $111 million without imposing any new tax.

 

If approved, the measure would extend the 2006 bond approved by voters almost 20 years ago. That bond paid for the construction of Westminster High School and the Hodgkins Leadership Academy as well as making significant safety and construction upgrades across the district including the installation of air conditioning in almost every school.

 

Board President Christine Martinez introduced the resolution, noting that the district conducted extensive community outreach during the spring and summer to inform the community about district needs and priorities and explain how the dollars would be spent. Martinez told fellow board members that 79% of respondents supported a bond.

 

“The survey results indicate that our community prioritizes continuing efforts in school safety and expanding career technical education and stem programming,” she said. “There is also strong support for updating our buildings to meet code requirements and reducing our carbon footprint.”

 

If voters approve on November 5, the bond would further support the expansion of Iver C. Ranum an Innovation Campus which opened in August. Phase one of the campus supports pathways in Aviation Engineering, Biotechnology, and Cybersecurity.

 

“Our community understands that we have always made smart investments in our children and this is an important next step,” said Superintendent Jeni Gotto. “Now more than ever we need to make sure that the people of this community have the skills and tools to compete in a 21st century economy. Quality public education is the cornerstone for strong communities and neighborhoods.”

 

Long-range plans for the campus include career education programs for adults in the community.

 

“I believe the more people understand the impact of this investment, the more likely they are to support it,” she said. “This will strengthen our entire community.”

 

Martinez encouraged voters to visit destinationwps.org to learn more about the measure.