A ballot measure that would make substantial investments into all Colorado Springs District 11 school buildings will be put to a vote this November.

The D-11 Board of Education approved the ballot language for a $775 million bond proposal and the district’s intent to participate in the Nov. 3 coordinated election during their regular meeting Wednesday night.

If approved by voters, the bond would invest in various projects across all its noncharter schools and charter schools operating in district-owned buildings. The district’s project list includes installing an air conditioning system in Coronado High School, modernizing learning spaces and funding complete school rebuilds.

Voter approval would also mark the district’s first instance of such since 2004.

Ahead of their votes, board members expressed concerns about raising tax dollars in the current economic landscape, while acknowledging capital needs that have gone unaddressed over the years, such as schools operating without air conditioning during days with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, due to limited capital dollars.

Board members Jason Jorgenson, Parth Melpakam and Thomas Carey each highlighted investments that the district has made in recent years — including teacher salary increases, maintaining existing schools, the repair and rebuild of Jenkins Middle School and staff development initiatives — despite limited funds.

Board Secretary Michelle Ruehl questioned whether large investments into school infrastructure would directly impact academic achievement while enrollment has decreased over the years and current schools are operating at low capacity.

When she asked about school consolidations and a long-term facilities plan, Superintendent Michael Gaal pointed to recent work the district has done colocating schools to address capacity needs and expanding its portfolio with new charters, innovation pathways and universal preschool in schools to stem enrollment declines.

He added that offering modernized schools like the renovated Jenkins can attract new students and families that demonstrate academic proficiency and those who have previously chosen to attend neighboring school districts.

“Families that can choose do choose,” he said. “Every year, we recongregate kids that can’t get access to higher quality education for one of a myriad of different reasons of which I know, oftentimes, schools are held responsible for.”

Board Vice President Jill Haffley expressed her concerns about raising tax dollars but also empathized with students and teachers in buildings without air conditioning, having experienced the same scenario while teaching in the district.

She would vote to approve the ballot measure and note that it wasn’t an endorsement.

Carey also noted the elected board’s obligation to fiscal responsibility to the district, which includes funding for its buildings.

“And at the end of the day… I do not believe that it is being a good steward of taxpayer resources to keep kicking the can down the road for buildings that are 60 years old and are in need of significant improvement,” he said.

Community members packed the board meeting room, with many expressing their support of putting the bond on the November ballot. Out of 10 public speakers, eight expressed approval of the bond and one addressed a different topic.

Also among these speakers was Pikes Peak State College President Lance Bolton, who acknowledged that he was prevented from advocating for or against the bond, per state law on account of his position. Instead, he used his time to speak in general terms about how improved facilities can support public education.

The measure would get approved on a 6-1 vote, with board members agreeing that the bond’s approval or denial is a decision that should be left up to the voters they serve. Ruehl was the only one to vote against it.

Later in the meeting, the board also passed a resolution to redirect revenues from their current mill levy overrides (MLO) toward increasing teacher compensation, if the bond were to pass later this year.

Typically used to fund teacher raises, revenues from recent MLOs passed have been used to pay down the district’s capital debt. Since a successful bond vote could then cover the debt, the MLOs would then be committed to salaries.