Invest in DCSD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2022

Castle Rock, CO

As mail-in voting begins for the November 8 election, city, town, metro district and business leadership throughout Douglas County have come together to endorse measures 5A and 5B, the ballot initiatives to provide necessary funding to the Douglas County School District. Civic leadership approving resolutions supporting the $60 million mill levy override and $450 million bond include the city and town councils for Castle Pines; Castle Rock; Larkspur; Lone Tree; Parker and the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors. In addition, business leadership support includes the Parker Chamber of Commerce/Government Affairs and the Castle Rock Economic Council.

They join the Douglas County Board of Education advisory committees’ unanimous support, including the Mill Bond Oversight Committee, the District Accountability Committee, the Financial Oversight Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Equity Advisory Council. Numerous school accountability committees have also endorsed the bond and MLO.

Civic and political organizations have come together to support Douglas County schools as well. The local teachers’ union, the Douglas County Federation, has issued statements supporting the initiatives. Civic organizations such as Mile High United Way and The Rose Foundation Board of Trustees have also endorsed funding. The Douglas County Democratic Party has publicly supported the bond and mill levy override. Republican County Commissioner Abe Laydon has personally endorsed the measures, as have numerous candidates for local and state office from both the Republican and Democrat parties.

“Our local community recognizes our teachers, bus drivers, and other staff deserve competitive compensation, and we need to offer good salaries to attract and retain great employees,” said Christa Gilstrap, chair of Invest in DCSD, a community campaign committee supporting the bond and MLO. “Fast-growing areas such as Sterling Ranch, Crystal Valley and The Canyons need modern, secure neighborhood elementary schools. All of our students deserve well-maintained facilities in which to learn.”

Gilstrap added, “For years, DCSD was in the news because our community was politically divided. We haven’t built a new elementary school since 2010, in part because the community could not come together. It’s been great to see people set differences aside and unify across the political spectrum to support our students, teachers, staff and schools. We all value the education and well-being of our children.”

Election day is November 8. Ballots will be mailed to residents of Douglas County beginning today, October 15.

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM LOCAL MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP FOR FUNDING FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE