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NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES /

TO RETAIN EXCESS REVENUES / TO INCREASE DEBT ON A CITIZEN PETITION /

ON A REFERRED MEASURE

COORDINATED ELECTION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019

This notice is mailed to each address with one or more registered voters. You may not have all of these issues on your ballot. This packet contains summary statements for ballot issues as required by the State of Colorado Constitution, Article X, Section 20, also known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).

The information contained in this notice was prepared by persons required by law to provide summaries of ballot issues and fiscal information. Adams County does not warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the summaries submitted by other political subdivisions, nor is it responsible for errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation of the submitted statements.

A “YES” vote on any ballot issue is a vote in favor of changing current law or existing circumstances; and A “NO” vote on any ballot issue is a vote against changing current law or existing circumstances.

This notice does not contain information on statewide measures. The Colorado Legislative Council’s “Blue Book” will be mailed to you separately, or can be viewed at www.colorado.gov/bluebook.

THIS IS NOT A BALLOT This contains information only.

I hereby certify that this packet contains all of the notices as provided by the various governmental entities pursuant to Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution. Josh Zygielbaum Adams County Clerk and Recorder

Josh Zygielbaum Adams Clerk & Recorder 4430 S. Adams County Pkwy, Suite E3102 Brighton, Colorado 80601

DRIVE THRU

24-HOUR BALLOT DROP BOX LOCATIONS

Open October 14 - November 5, 2019

VOTER SERVICE & POLLING CENTERS (VSPCs)

October 14-18 ballots mailed to all active registered voters October 14 24-hour ballot drop boxes open October 14 Brighton Voter Service & Polling Center (VSPC) opens October 28 All other VSPCs open November 5 Election Day, ballots due by 7 p.m.

IMPORTANT DATES

AdamsVotes.com 720-523-6500 adams.elections@adcogov.org

CONTACT US

AdcoClerk AdamsClerk

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BENNETT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 29J ALL REGISTERED VOTERS

NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE

Election Date and Hours: November 5th, 2019, 7 a.m – 7 p.m

Designated Election Official: Debra Matis 610 7

th Street

Bennett, Colorado 80102 Telephone: (303) 644-3234 ext 8202 BALLOT ISSUE 5B: General Fund Override SHALL BENNETT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 29J TAXES BE INCREASED $1.6 MILLION (2019 ESTIMATE) ANNUALLY FOR A LIMITED SIX-YEAR PERIOD (COMMENCING IN COLLECTION YEAR 2020) AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED IN 2021 THROUGH COLLECTION YEAR 2025 FROM AN OVERRIDE MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE OF 9.971 MILLS WHICH, TOGETHER WITH ANY BOND REDEMPTION MILLS, DOES NOT RESULT IN ANY NET INCREASE IN THE TOTAL MILL LEVY CURRENTLY IMPOSED BY THE DISTRICT, WITH THE MONIES FROM THIS OVERRIDE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE DISTRICT AND USED TO PAY FOR THE BENNETT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL?

FISCAL INFORMATION

Actual Historical and Current Estimated Fiscal Year Spending YEAR FISCAL YEAR SPENDING 2019-2020 (current year estimate) $845,900 2018-2019 (actual) $848,704 2017-2018 (actual) $848,519 2016-2017 (actual) $849,257 2015-2016 (actual) $845,945 Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending Over the five year period from 2015-2016 through current: (0.0001%) Overall dollars change in fiscal year spending Over the five year period from 2015-2016 through current: ($45.00) Estimated 2018-2019 tax increase authorized by Ballot issue 5B $1,600,000 Summaries of written comments filed with the election officer: The Following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons FOR Ballot Issue 5B

• No additional cost to taxpayers – just a 6 year extension of current collection.

• It is only an extension of current bond because of an early payoff (due to fiscal diligence of the taxpayers’ money; otherwise it would still be collected).

• Only spent on expenses related to the Intermediate Elementary Building and its associated cost.

• When the specified amount is collected, it’s done, nothing additional will be collected.

• Because the new school is built, children have the opportunity to learn in a less crowded environment. Funding that is currently being used to pay for the school can be shifted to pay for areas of education (security, preparation for college, technology) that will benefit our children in the future.

• An expenditure update will be available at Bennett School District annually to show voters exactly where the funds will be allocated.

• If we invest in our children now, they will become leaders of our community in the future. Providing our children with a proper education is all of our responsibility.

The Following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons AGAINST Ballot Issue 5B

• Property taxes will be established based on the value of a person's home. Though taxes will not increase, they will continue for the remainder of 6 years until the Override expires.

• If we didn’t extend it for the Intermediate building, taxpayers would not be assessed the tax anymore, because the bond was paid off early.

• This MLO will cost Approximately $70.00 per $100,000.00 in assessed value per year for the six year which is the current amount taxpayers are already paying.

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TO ALL REGISTERED VOTERS BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

ARAPAHOE, ADAMS, AND ELBERT COUNTIES, COLORADO

NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE

Election date: November 5, 2019 Election hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local election official address and phone number: Connie Shields, P.O. Box 85, 100 N. Main St., Byers, CO 80103 Telephone: (303) 822-5208 or (720) 275-3613 BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 7B: SHALL BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $145,000 ANNUALLY, AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE ANNUALLY RAISED THEREAFTER, BY AN ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY OF 3 MILLS, COMMENCING IN TAX YEAR 2019 (FOR COLLECTION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2020), AND CONTINUING THEREAFTER AS PROVIDED BY LAW, WITH SUCH TAX PROCEEDS TO BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING DISTRICT OPERATIONAL AND CAPITAL EXPENSES,

• HIRE FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDICS;

• ADD FIRE STATION LIVING QUARTERS; AND

• IMPROVE FIRE STATION VENTILATION SYSTEM AND DRIVEWAY AND SHALL SUCH TAX PROCEEDS BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT AS VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND SPENDING CHANGES IN EACH YEAR, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING OR REVENUE LIMITATION CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES?

Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019 -16% Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019: - $82,535 Estimated maximum dollar amount of proposed tax increase in first full fiscal year: $145,000 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the tax increase authorized by ballot issue 7B: $430,378 Summaries of written comments on ballot issue 7B filed with the election officer: The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons for the issue: Problem: Volunteer staff is taxed quite a bit with ongoing District growth. Solution: A YES vote on B will provide funding for 2 full-time firefighter/paramedics that puts the District closer to 24/7 staffing. Problem: The District currently has no living quarters for the staff and shift program volunteers Solution: YES on 7B will provide the funding for necessary fire station upgrades and repairs. Problem: Dilapidating concrete pads in front of the fire station Solution: YES on 7B will provide funding for property repairs that will reduce further damage to the fire apparatus. The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons against the issue: No comments were received by the constitutional deadline. BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 7C: IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ADEQUATE FIRE, RESCUE, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND ONLY IF THE RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT RATE IS REDUCED BELOW THE CURRENT RATE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE X OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, SHALL THE BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (DISTRICT) BE PERMITTED TO ADJUST ITS PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY TO OFFSET ANY RESULTING DECREASE IN REVENUE; AND SHALL SUCH TAX PROCEEDS BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT AS VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND SPENDING CHANGES IN EACH YEAR, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR STATUTORY SPENDING OR

Actual historical and current estimated fiscal year spending information: Year Fiscal Year Spending 2015 (actual) $ 512,913 2016 (actual) $ 500,254 2017 (actual) $ 327,395 2018 (actual) $ 354.759 2019 (estimated) $ 430,378

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REVENUE LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES?

Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019 -16% Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019: - $82,535 Estimated maximum dollar amount of proposed tax extension in first full fiscal year: $ 0 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the tax extension authorized by ballot issue 7C: $ 430,378 Summaries of written comments on ballot issue 7C filed with the election officer: The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons for the issue: No comments were received by the constitutional deadline. The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons against the issue: No comments were received by the constitutional deadline. BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 7D: WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, SHALL THE BYERS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND ALL REVENUES AND OTHER FUNDS FROM ANY REVENUE SOURCE (INCLUDING THOSE FROM TAXES, STATE GRANTS, AND AUTHORIZED FEES), EFFECTIVE IN FISCAL YEAR 2019, AND CONTINUING THEREAFTER, AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM ALL SUCH SOURCES BE SPENT AS VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGES AND AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, AND SECTION 29-1-301, C.R.S.?

Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019 -16% Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2015 through 2019: -$ 82,535 Estimated maximum dollar amount of proposed tax increase in first full fiscal year: $ 0 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the tax increase authorized by ballot issue 7D: $ 430,378 Summaries of written comments on ballot issue 7D filed with the election officer: The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons for the issue: No comments were received by the constitutional deadline. The following summary was prepared from comments filed by persons against the issue: No comments were received by the constitutional deadline.

Actual historical and current estimated fiscal year spending information:

Year Fiscal Year Spending 2015 (actual) $ 512,913 2016 (actual) $ 500,254 2017 (actual) $ 327,395 2018 (actual) $ 354.759 2019 (estimated) $ 430,378

Actual historical and current estimated fiscal year spending information:

Year Fiscal Year Spending 2015 (actual) $ 512,913 2016 (actual) $ 500,254 2017 (actual) $ 327,395 2018 (actual) $ 354.759 2019 (estimated) $ 430,378

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TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS Notice of Election to Increase Taxes

on a Referred Measure

ANYTHINK RANGEVIEW LIBRARY DISTRICT Adams County, Colorado

Election Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Election Hours:7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Michele M. Barrasso, Designated Election Official c/o Seter & Vander Wall, P.C. 7400 E. Orchard Road, Suite 3300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: (303) 770-2700 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 6A: SHALL ANYTHINK, ALSO KNOWN AS RANGEVIEW LIBRARY DISTRICT, SERVING THORNTON, NORTHGLENN, COMMERCE CITY, BRIGHTON, PERL MACK AREA, BENNETT AND UNINCORPORATED ADAMS COUNTY, TAXES BE INCREASED $12.3 MILLION ANNUALLY ($1.32 PER MONTH FOR EACH $100,000 OF ACTUAL RESIDENTIAL VALUE), FOR COLLECTION IN 2020, AND BY SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY INCREASING THE DISTRICT’S MILL LEVY RATE BY 2.2 MILLS, TO BE USED TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND LIBRARY FACILITIES AND SERVICES WHICH MAY INCLUDE:

EXPANDING LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN TO HELP PROVIDE THEM WITH A STRONG START AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS; INCREASING SERVICES FOR SENIORS; PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO HELP THEM THRIVE; EXTENDING LIBRARY HOURS AND RENOVATING CURRENT BRANCHES WITH MORE PHYSICAL SPACE TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS; PURCHASING ADDITIONAL BOOKS AND DIGITAL MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS TO MEET COMMUNITY LEARNING AND ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS; ADDING TECHNOLOGY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS; CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING TWO NEW LIBRARIES AND DEVELOPING A CAREER-CENTERED LIBRARY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ADAMS COUNTY’S GROWING POPULATION;

AND PROVIDED THAT THE DISTRICT’S TOTAL MILL LEVY MAY BE ADJUSTED TO OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM CHANGES TO THE RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT RATE; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES GENERATED FROM THE MILL LEVY INCREASE, AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE AND SPENDING CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO ANY STATUTORY LIMITS, INCLUDING SECTION 29-1-301, C.R.S. AND ANY CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS, INCLUDING ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, THAT WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY? Total District Fiscal Year Spending

Fiscal Year 2019 (estimated) $19,986,811 2018 (actual) $18,769,385 2017 (actual) $16,476,413 2016 (actual) $15,689,651 2015 (actual) $14,099,480 Overall percentage change from 2015 to 2019 42% Overall dollar change from 2015 to 2019 $5,887,331

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Proposed Tax Increase District Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2020 (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase):

BALLOT ISSUE NO. 6A: $12,300,000

District Estimate of 2020 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increase: $25,000,000

Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 6A: Vote YES on 6A! Anythink provides Adams County residents with the exceptional public libraries and services they deserve. It is time to increase its 2006 funding level so that this cultural resource can adequately serve the families, children, and seniors in our rapidly growing community. Anythink Libraries – also known as Rangeview Library District – serves most of Adams County with seven branches and a bookmobile. This includes Thornton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Brighton, Bennett, and much of unincorporated Adams County. In 2018, more than 1.1 million community members visited an Anythink branch; visitors checked out 2.2 million books and videos. Over 80,000 people attended classes, concerts or other programs. Anythink accomplished all of this with fewer than 160 staff across the district, including management and support staff. With nearly 90,000 residents moving to Adams County in the past 10 years and nearly 43,000 new residents projected over the next five years, Anythink’s ability to continue delivering excellent library services will become increasingly difficult. Four of Anythink’s seven branches are currently closed on Monday, and only one is open on Sunday, meaning children and families don’t always have access to the library when they need it. With only 128,000 square feet of physical space district-wide, they do not have space or resources to meet the demands for more books, hours, programs and staff. This summer, children’s programs created for 40 attendees had over 300 kids participate, impacting the experience for each child despite the hard work and flexibility of Anythink staff. As one of the lowest-funded public library systems in the seven-county Denver metro area, Anythink’s resources, staff and services are stretched to a point that new revenue is needed now. The last time voters approved a mill levy increase for the district was 2006. The challenges of population growth have put pressures on budgets, staff, and physical capacity. Anythink operates as one of the leanest library systems in Colorado, providing library services, programs and collections on one of the lowest budgets in the region. Though Anythink’s mill levy rate has been the same for the past 13 years, the library system cannot sustain and expand library services at the current funding level. If 6A is approved, the mill levy override will raise an additional $12.3 million to expand literacy programs, increase services for seniors, add workforce development resources, extend library hours, purchase more books, and build two new branches and renovate several existing branches. Every Anythink branch benefits if 6A passes. If the proposed 2.2 mill levy increase is approved by district voters, Anythink Libraries will generate an additional $12.3 million per year. That’s $1.32 per month for every $100,000 of actual residential value. If voters don’t approve this small mill levy increase, Anythink’s ability to sustain its current level of service will become increasingly difficult. Our children will not have access to adequate library services because we do not have the space or resources to provide the necessary collections, programs and staff. Vote YES on 6A! Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 6A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.

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TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS Notice of Election to Increase Taxes and Debt

on a Referred Measure

Strasburg School District 31J Adams and Arapahoe Counties, Colorado

Election Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Strasburg School District 31J 56729 E. Colorado Ave. Strasburg, CO 80136 Telephone: (303) 622-9211 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE NO. 5A: SHALL STRASBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT 31J DEBT BE INCREASED BY $25 MILLION, WITH A REPAYMENT COST OF $49.2 MILLION, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $2.5 MILLION ANNUALLY, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH DEBT TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CAPITAL ASSETS FOR DISTRICT PURPOSES, INCLUDING: IMPROVING SAFETY AND SECURITY BY CONSTRUCTING ADDITIONAL SERVICE ROADS AROUND SCHOOL CAMPUS TO ADDRESS INCREASED TRAFFIC FLOW DUE TO GROWTH; ADDRESSING OVERCROWDING BY ADDING ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BY RENOVATING AND REMODELING SUCH FACILITY TO INCLUDE REMOVING TEMPORARY WALLS AND BUILDING A GYMNASIUM; ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL BY RENOVATING AND REMODELING SUCH FACILITY TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF A FOOD SERVICE AREA, UPDATING BATHROOMS TO MEET HEALTH CODES, CONVERTING THE NON-ADA ACCESSIBLE GYM INTO AN AUDITORIUM, AND PROVIDING IMPROVEMENTS TO BLEACHERS AND PROVIDING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS AT THE FOOTBALL AND PRACTICE FIELD AREAS; CONSTRUCTING EMERGENCY EGRESS AND PATHWAYS AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO OUTSIDE LEARNING SPACES AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FACILITY; AND SHALL THE MILL LEVY BE INCREASED IN ANY YEAR WITHOUT LIMITATION AS TO RATE, WHICH AMOUNT SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT OR ANY REFUNDING DEBT WHEN DUE; THE AUTHORITY FOR SUCH TAX AND MILL LEVY INCREASE TO TERMINATE WHEN THE DEBT OR REFUNDING DEBT IS PAID; SUCH DEBT TO BE EVIDENCED BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OR OTHER MULTIPLE FISCAL YEAR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH MAY BE SOLD FROM TIME TO TIME TO INVESTORS IN AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AND REPAYMENT COST, ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE DISTRICT MAY DETERMINE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR REDEMPTION OF THE BONDS PRIOR TO MATURITY WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT OF A PRIOR REDEMPTION PREMIUM OF NOT TO EXCEED 3%; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S DEBT LIMIT BE INCREASED FROM AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 20% OF THE DISTRICT’S ASSESSED VALUE TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 6% OF THE DISTRICT’S ACTUAL VALUE, AS CERTIFIED BY THE COUNTY ASSESSORS OF ADAMS AND ARAPAHOE COUNTIES? Total District Fiscal Year Spending

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (estimated) $11,386,360 2018-2019 (actual) $11,038,955 2017-2018 (actual) $10,242,434 2016-2017 (actual) $10,001,329 2015-2016 (actual) $10,035,222 Overall percentage change from 2015-16 to 2019-20 13.46% Overall dollar change from 2015-16 to 2019-20 $1,351,138

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Proposed Tax Increase District Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2020-21 (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase):

BALLOT ISSUE NO. 5A: $2,500,000

District Estimate of 2020-21 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increase: $11,736,360

Information on District’s Proposed Debt BALLOT ISSUE NO. 5A:

Principal Amount of Proposed Bonds: Not to exceed $25,000,000 Maximum Annual District Repayment Cost: Not to exceed $ 2,500,000 Total District Repayment Cost: Not to exceed $49,200,000

Information on District’s Current Debt*

Principal Amount Outstanding Debt: $5,270,000 Maximum Annual Repayment Cost: $848,600 Remaining Total Repayment Cost: $5,799,788

*Excluded from debt are enterprise and annual appropriation obligations.

Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 5A: Let’s support our kids and our community by passing Ballot Issue 5A this November. Addressing key infrastructure needs relating to student safety, accessibility and overcrowding will benefit the entire Strasburg community. Strasburg is growing and elementary school enrollment already exceeds building capacity as well as fire code capacity in many areas. Additionally, recent district assessments identified a number of accessibility and life safety issues with existing school buildings, and current transportation routing does not provide adequate separation of bus, delivery, and community traffic to ensure student safety. Issue 5A is thoughtfully targeted to address each of these critical issues. The main features of 5A will be:

• Seven additional classrooms, an expanded kitchen, and a new gymnasium at the elementary school to accommodate recent and future growth, and to promote safety by enabling students to stay in one building for instruction.

• Renovations in the high school to include new mechanical systems, converting the old gymnasium into an ADA-accessible auditorium, and a food service facility to eliminate the need for high school students to use elementary school facilities, which requires open access to that building.

• New transportation routing that separates delivery vehicles and buses from community traffic.

• Better access to, and expanded stadium facilities. If 5A passes, the owner of a home with an assessed value of $400,000 will pay an additional $33.33 per month (an increase of $1.11 per day). The per-month increase in taxes amounts to less than many of us routinely spend on a night out for dinner or a visit to the cinema, and will benefit our children and our town in a meaningful and enduring way. In rural America, schools are often the lifeblood of our communities, nurturing a sense of pride and unity, and creating a shared commitment to service. Studies show that this kind of social cohesion reaps for communities a host of benefits, including increased safety, stability, and economic activity. Regardless of our personal connection to Strasburg Schools, let ’s vote yes for Strasburg’s kids and for a vibrant, connected community well into the future! Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 5A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.