Understanding Thompson School District Ballot Measures 5A and 5B
United Way of Larimer County is dedicated to providing voters with clear, accessible information on issues that affect children, youth, and families. This November, Thompson School District (TSD) voters will face two significant ballot measures that could impact the future of the district. Let’s break down what each measure proposes and the potential implications.
What Do Ballot Measures 5A and 5B Propose?
Measure 5A seeks to establish a special levy under the Debt-Free Schools Act, which would generate $13 million annually. These funds would be used for recurring capital projects, such as building maintenance, technology, and repairs. By passing this measure, TSD would be able to redirect money from its general fund to support teacher and staff salaries, benefits, and other district needs.
Measure 5B asks voters for approval to issue up to $220 million in bonds and collect revenues from a new mill levy sufficient to generate up to $32 million annually to make the payments on the bond. The funds from this bond would be used to enhance educational facilities, maintain infrastructure, and ensure safety measures across all schools. TSD has a public website that posts information about what the bond measure would fund at each of its facilities.
While both measures address critical needs, they are independent of one another. Voters can choose to approve one, both, or neither.
Understanding the Debt-Free Mill Levy (Measure 5A)
A debt-free mill levy allows a school district to collect property tax revenue for capital projects without borrowing funds or incurring debt. It provides ongoing financial support for essential infrastructure without the burden of loan repayment. Importantly, the money freed up in the district’s general fund, and as a result of Measure 5A, existing funds could be redirected to pay for staff compensation and classroom resources. The estimated $13 million per year from Measure 5A would allow TSD to address these needs sustainably and ensure that district facilities are safe and up to date.
Understanding the Bond Measure (Measure 5B)
Bond measures allow school districts to raise large sums of money for major projects by borrowing funds and repaying the debt over time. Measure 5B would authorize TSD to issue up to $220 million in bonds, with the repayment cost totaling no more than $395 million. This bond would be used to finance improvements to educational facilities, infrastructure upgrades, and safety enhancements, including air quality improvements.
The annual mill levy to support this bond would generate up to $32 million per year.
Financial Impact on Property Owners
If both measures are approved, property owners within TSD would see increases in their taxes. If these measures are not approved, property taxes would remain at their current levels, and TSD would need to find alternative ways to address the district’s pressing needs.
Support and Opposition
Arguments in Favor:
- TSD requires an ongoing, sustainable funding source for essential building maintenance, upgrades to technical career programs, equipment, technology, and to maintain school security.
- Approving these measures would free up funds to pay teachers and staff competitive market rates, which is necessary to attract and retain top talent to support student success.
- Classrooms and buildings need renovations to ensure they are safe, productive learning environments that can adequately prepare students for the future.
- TSD has one of the lowest mill levy/tax rates in the region compared to its neighboring districts, resulting in less local funding to support public education in the TSD service area.
| St. Vrain | 57.238 |
| Poudre | 53.434 |
| Greeley | 47.040 |
| Windsor | 44.382 |
| Thompson | 42.760 |
| Johnstown | 33.988 |
Arguments Against:
- Taxes are already high for residents and businesses in the district, and further increases are burdensome.
- There are multiple tax initiatives on the 2024 ballot, adding to voter concerns about over-taxation.
- Lack of coordination with early childhood education initiatives could hinder future efforts to secure public funding for comprehensive education from early childhood through high school.
Why These Measures Matter
Both Measures 5A and 5B aim to secure critical funding for TSD at a time when the district is facing challenges with aging infrastructure, teacher retention, and growing student needs. Approving these measures would provide much-needed financial stability, allowing the district to maintain and improve its facilities and programs for years to come.
We encourage voters to consider the long-term effects these measures could have on the quality of education and the community. For more detailed information, including school-specific plans, visit TSD’s 2024 Bond and Mill Levy Information Page.
This resource is part of our United We Vote campaign, which aims to provide non-partisan voter education on critical issues affecting our community. Make sure to research, ask questions, and make an informed decision before heading to the polls this November.
More United We Vote Resources:
Check your voter registration, find your polling place and more.
Learn more about Amendment 80.
Learn more about Poudre School District’s Ballot Measure 4A.
