2023 Bond Election Information
BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE: Raton Tigers have an opportunity to receive a new $80 million school, if an $8 million dollar bond is approved this November!
Why Do We Need a Bond?
OLD SCHOOLS NEED TO BE REPLACED
$30M in Repairs Identified in Existing Schools. Our schools were built in the 1930s and 1950s. Schools designed nearly 100 years ago were not built for today’s dynamic way of educating children nor were they designed to meet the needs of those with disabilities (i.e. ADA). Passing this $8 million Bond will eliminate these repairs and enable our community to construct an estimated $80M state-of-the-art PreK-12 Campus. Keep reading to find out where the balance of funds come from!
|
|
SAFETY & HEALTH
|
Better Protection for Our Kids. Combining all three schools into one campus makes it much easier to ensure our students are safe. Consolidating the student population will allow the district to centralize its safety measures and oversight to provide protection for all the students simultaneously, instead of spreading these resources across three separate campuses. Additionally, the new campus will be equipped with modern interior and exterior safety measures that our existing schools lack, such as adequate fencing, cameras, card readers, access control, vestibules, direct line of sight to visitors, and mass communications systems for lockdowns and lockouts.
|
|
A new school will have air conditioning and proper fresh breathing air throughout the campus, which the current elementary and intermediate schools do not have.
|
|
The current schools were built in the 1930s and 1950s and were not designed for the needs of those who have disabilities in our community. Updating ADA access to accommodate all students is vital.
|
TECHNOLOGY & INSTRUCTION
|
Technology improvements to keep pace with future innovations. Meet the needs of our students in an ever changing world.
|
|
New designs for unique and flexible classroom spaces of the future. Hands on collaborative learning environments including Career and Technical instruction.
|
|
A new on-site synthetic track and synthetic field are included in the new campus master plan to be used for physical education.
|
Concepts, ideas, and layouts were discussed during community planning workshops. Click here to find out more about the process and potential designs.
INCREASED EFFICIENCY & REDUCED COSTS
|
Building a new school with modern equipment will reduce expenses by increasing efficiency and reducing equipment repair and replacement costs. Currently, we are maintaining some original equipment which is at least 80 years old. Since parts are no longer made, we must pay premium prices for replacements we need, often custom made. This will not be the case with a new school.
|
|
Having all students at one school will also reduce transportation costs and save time for parents who may have to drop and pick kids up from multiple schools.
|
|
New equipment will reduce annual energy and maintenance costs. Additionally, the new school will be right-sized for our student enrollment, which will reduce the square footage required for us to maintain, operate, heat, and cool.
|
|
A single campus will increase student access to specials that currently have to travel to different campuses each day including arts, music, and PE.
|
How, Where, When, & What Else?
HOW? A UNIQUE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
|
$72 Million Dollar Funding Opportunity from State of New Mexico
|
WHERE & WHEN WILL IT BE BUILT?
|
WHERE
One campus for PreK-12. Just south of the existing Raton High School. See location. See design ideas. |
|
WHEN
November 7, 2023 – Bond Election – Go Vote! Click here to find out how to register to vote in Colfax County. Estimated Timeline 2024 – 2025 – Design (Architect) 2025 – 2026 – Construction (General Contractor) 2026 – 2027 – Demolition (All Three Existing Schools) |
OTHER BENEFITS
|
Economic Benefits
A new campus is estimated to be an $80 million construction project, which will bring many jobs to our community. In addition to jobs, workers will spend money at local businesses including restaurants, gas stations and hotels. It will provide a boost in our gross receipts taxes, which will allow the City to provide more services to community members. |
|
Great Schools = Great Communities Not only will a new school improve the educational opportunities for our current students, but it will also make us competitive with any community in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado as individuals and businesses consider moving to the region. One of the first things families consider before making a move is the quality of the school system. By having a new, modern school, we will be able to compete with our neighbors and attract new residents to our community. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a bond?
Bonds are voter-approved borrowing that can only be used for capital construction projects. They generate up-front dollars, which are repaid with interest through a property tax over time.
Bonds are voter-approved borrowing that can only be used for capital construction projects. They generate up-front dollars, which are repaid with interest through a property tax over time.
Will it change my property tax?
This bond will be limited to a 4 year property tax increase. The property tax increase will vary depending on the value of the property. The increase will be approximately $4.65 per $1,000 of Taxable Assessed Valuation.
This bond will be limited to a 4 year property tax increase. The property tax increase will vary depending on the value of the property. The increase will be approximately $4.65 per $1,000 of Taxable Assessed Valuation.
- For example a homeowner has a $90,000 property, taxes will be applied against 1/3 of the value, so a $30,000 taxable value. Their property taxes would increase by $11.63 per month ($90,000 * 1/3 *$4.65 / 1,000 / 12).
- The following table is an example of the property tax increase to pay for the new school with varying property values:
|
What portion of the bond debt will be paid for through residential property taxes?
The residential portion of the $8 million bond amounts to $4.5 million, with the remainder paid for by businesses, oil, gas and/or copper. So, $4.5 million will return residential taxpayers $80 million of school construction funding.
The residential portion of the $8 million bond amounts to $4.5 million, with the remainder paid for by businesses, oil, gas and/or copper. So, $4.5 million will return residential taxpayers $80 million of school construction funding.
How long will it take for Raton Public Schools to pay the Bond off to build the new school?
It will take 17 years to pay off the Bond, yet property taxes will only increase for 4 years. At the 5th year, property taxes are estimated to go back down to the level that is currently in place.
It will take 17 years to pay off the Bond, yet property taxes will only increase for 4 years. At the 5th year, property taxes are estimated to go back down to the level that is currently in place.
What will happen to the existing schools?
The State of New Mexico will no longer support the district in maintaining the old schools after financially supporting construction of the new PreK-12 campus. Thus, the old schools will be demolished and the land will be retained by the district for future use. The exception is the Main High School Gym; this building will be retained by the district.
The State of New Mexico will no longer support the district in maintaining the old schools after financially supporting construction of the new PreK-12 campus. Thus, the old schools will be demolished and the land will be retained by the district for future use. The exception is the Main High School Gym; this building will be retained by the district.
|
Ballot Language
|
|
|
|
