People, Programs and Buildings To Be Proud Of

People, Programs and Buildings To Be Proud Of

Our community is one of Colorado’s fastest-growing communities. Enrollment has been rising rapidly, and our schools need to keep pace.

Learn how the proposed 2026 Bond Measure supports our students, our growth, and our future.

Bennett Schools Overview

Who We Are

Bennett School District serves families across Adams and Arapahoe Counties, operating both charter and district public schools. We educate about 1,850 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, supported by dedicated educators and staff committed to high-quality education throughout our service area.

Our mission is to provide a safe environment for a quality education with high expectations for success, ensuring students obtain the necessary skills to achieve their full potential and to think critically as responsible citizens in a complex, diverse and ever-changing world.

Our enrollment is growing. Fast.

Enrollment was steady before the pandemic, then began rising quickly. In just a few years, enrollment has grown by more than 40%, with the sharpest acceleration between the 2022-23 and 2025-26 school years alone.

And it’s not slowing down. Within the next decade, enrollment numbers are expected to increase by an additional 400 students, stretching many buildings even further beyond capacity.

Bennett Schools Enrollment Over Time

Challenges & Opportunities

The  Funding Gap

Colorado ranks 38th in the nation in per-pupil funding, with approximately $2,700 less per student than the national average.

Colorado K-12 spending as a share of taxpayer income is well below the national average.

K-12 education spending in Colorado is equivalent to 2.73% of taxpayer income.

This funding gap impacts districts across the state, including here in Bennett.

CO K-12 Education Spending: 2.73% of Taxpayer Income
VS. 3.86% national Average
CO K-12 Education Spending: 2.73% of Taxpayer Income
VS. 3.86% national Average

The  Funding Gap

Colorado ranks 38th in the nation in per-pupil funding, with approximately $2,700 less per student than the national average.

Colorado K-12 spending as a share of taxpayer income is well below the national average.

K-12 education spending in Colorado is equivalent to 2.73% of taxpayer income.

This funding gap impacts districts across the state, including here in Bennett.

CO K-12 Education Spending: 2.73% of Taxpayer Income
VS. 3.86% national Average
CO K-12 Education Spending: 2.73% of Taxpayer Income
VS. 3.86% national Average

Bennett School District Buildings by Age

Bennett School District Buildings by Age

Tap on a line to see the building whose age is displayed

Old, Outdated Buildings

Many existing district buildings are more than 40 years old, some significantly more. Aging systems require ongoing maintenance and prioritized upgrades to support safe, effective learning environments.

How Bennett is Funded

Bennett School District is funded by a mix of state and local revenue. But many residents don’t realize: when property values go up, school funding doesn’t automatically follow. Mill levy rates are adjusted to stay revenue-neutral, and state formulas, including TABOR, limit how much local revenue can grow.

Our Proposed 2026 Bond Measure

Tap the boxes below to review our 2026 bond priorities identified through district planning and community input.

Expand Career & Technical Education

Bennett is a popular and growing area. Expanding capacity now helps the district plan for continued enrollment growth.

Building a new high school will:

  • Expand technical job skills training
  • Prepare students for growing, in-demand, high paying jobs
  • Provide alternatives to college such as:
    • Construction trades
    • Medical tech
    • Firefighting
    • Ag tech
    • Culinary
  • Convert of the current high school into an expanded middle school
  • Support age-appropriate, grade level learning environments in the elementary school

More career pathways. More workforce opportunities. More choices for Bennett students.

School safety starts with secure buildings and safer campus access. The proposed bond package:

  • Secures main entries
  • Modernizes safety and security systems
  • Improves exterior lighting
  • Expands parking and traffic flow

Safer campuses. Better traffic flow. Greater peace of mind.

The proposed bond focuses on needed repair, maintenance and system replacement in aging buildings to support safe, functional, and effective learning environments.

  • Critical maintenance to aging electrical, roof and mechanical systems
  • Facility improvements that support Career and Technical Education programs
  • Safety and security enhancements across school campuses
  • Enhanced traffic flow and parking

Investing in Bennett’s schools is investing in students, teachers, and our future.

Proposed improvements may also include updates to spaces used for athletics, activities, and community events, such as:

  • Football field and track improvements, including a new artificial turf football field and a new practice field for North High School
  • A new field house with dedicated program space and community use
  • Additional practice fields and recreational areas, including  new gym for 3rd – 5th graders

These investments support coursework, student activities, and shared community use of district facilities.

Built for Bennett athletes. Open to our community.

Understanding School Funding Tools

With inadequate state funding for schools, Colorado school districts rely on two main vote-approved sources to close the gap: 

Bond Measures

support buildings and infrastructure, including:
  • New schools
  • Renovations
  • Safety and security upgrades

Bond Measures

support buildings and infrastructure, including:
  • New schools
  • Renovations
  • Safety and security upgrades

Mill Levy Overrides

support people and programs, including:
  • Teachers and staff
  • Student programs
  • Classroom resources

The proposed 2026 measure is a bond, which would support facility improvements, capacity needs, and safety upgrades across the district.

Celebrating Our Strengths

Hover over these boxes to learn about our many critical successes already. This momentum matters.
Tap on these boxes to learn about our many critical successes already. This momentum matters.

Results That Outpace Our Resources

Results That Outpace Our Resources

Bennett students are achieving strong outcomes, supported by dedicated staff, targeted interventions, and a focus on student success.

92% Graduation Rate

92% Graduation Rate

Bennett High School’s graduation rate has climbed 4 percentage points over the past five years and now sits well above the Colorado average of 85%. That progress reflects targeted interventions, dedicated staff, and a strong commitment to every student’s success.

$1.8 Million in Scholarships

$1.8 Million in Scholarships

Bennett High School students earned $454k+ in scholarships last year alone, and nearly $1.8 million in the past three years combined. These awards, granted by colleges, universities, and community organizations, are expanding access to higher education and career opportunities for our graduates.

Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers

Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers

Bennett students earned more than 70 industry-recognized certifications last year through our Career and Technical Education (CTE)  programs, including Healthcare, Agriculture, Industrial Arts, and Emergency Services.

A Track Record of Delivery

Bennett voters have supported school investments in the past, and those measures funded lasting improvements across the district.

2004 Bond Projects

  • HVAC improvements
  • Roofing upgrades
  • Auditorium renovations
  • Locker room improvements
  • A two-story addition for counseling and the main office

2014 Mill Levy Override, General Operations

  • Funded a new transportation fleet and related equipment
  • Fully paid off in 2022, with no lingering obligation to taxpayers

2026 Planned Bond

  • Expand career and technical education
  • Improve district safety capabilities
  • Update athletics and activities spaces
  • Tackle much-needed repairs and maintenance projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Tap any of the boxes below to learn the answer to these frequently asked questions

A bond funds buildings, like new construction, renovations, and safety upgrades. A mill levy override funds people and programs, like teachers, staff, and classroom resources. The 2026 measure is a bond.

The total amount planned for this bond is $125 million. This works out to $6.25 per $100,000 of home value. 

So, for example, if your home is worth $200,000, your cost would be an estimated $12.50.

Are you an agricultural owner and curious about your land costs? Contact Todd Snidow for specific projections.

An independent committee of community members and Bennett School District staff will provide oversight and public reports about how EVERY penny of this new money is spent.

Colorado has several different taxes on marijuana. The one that is specifically collected for education funds a program called Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST). But that money isn’t handed out automatically. Districts have to apply, and grants are awarded competitively once a year.

Even when BEST grants are awarded, districts often need to provide matching funds to receive the funds, and that match is often raised through a local bond exactly the kind of measure on Bennett’s ballot. Some districts have won BEST grants, only to have to turn them down because they couldn’t come up with their share.

Residential development funds homes, roads, and utilities, not schools. School updates and construction is funded through voter-approved bonds, regardless of how much growth is happening nearby.

While new construction can require land allocation from developers, and developers may pay our school district money in lieu of that land for construction, that money is ultimately used as a long-term investment, the profit of which is drawn down to help pay teachers and daily operations. The initial investment should not be used for strategic growth for our schools because bond measures cannot spend their raised funds on daily expenses like teacher salaries or daily expenses.

Yes. The 2014 Mill Levy Override, which funded a new transportation fleet, was fully paid off in 2022.

Sign Up for Updates

Sign up for updates about the proposed 2026 bond, including project plans, timelines, FAQs, and opportunities to provide input.