To gather popular opinion on Bond designing and visions, the Long Range Facility Planning Committee (LRFPC) has set out many goals for the project, which could fund the rebuilding and revamping of buildings across the district, including the Creek campus. Local realtor with Kentwood Real Estate Tom Gross has shown enthusiasm for the project with his role on the committee.
“We have frequent meetings, and it serves a great purpose, because you get a group of people in a room, and they’re not afraid to share their opinions,” Gross said. “And you know, you have good kind of vibrant conversations about different things.”
The LRFPC made a decision to not include students, despite Bond’s impact on thousands of kids.
“We as a…committee for the district, we’re talking about things all around the district,” Gross said. “Students would be more focused on their school.”
But students at Creek have expressed wishes for tech upgrades that could improve their daily lives, especially in the areas of technology and safety.
Several general outlines have been set out on the bill’s page for upgrades that could come with a mill levy and the bond funds, many including technology and security. Upgraded security cameras, ballistic window film, and higher funded security staff are all proposed, providing more safety in the case of the rising risk of shooting threats.
Students believe the school can do more to invest in everyday security, like the film which could make all windows bulletproof without . “Safety is more important than convenience,” senior Mia Hausman said. “You want to feel safe at school.”
As for technological upgrades, Gross thinks the tools at a student’s hand are just as important as the environment they work in.
“Innovated education facilities with abundant natural light, state of the art technology and open interior and exterior spaces [facilitate] positive interaction among students,” he said.
Because building planning and architecture can cost millions of dollars for a project of Bond’s size, no official plans or blueprints are released. Regardless, supporters and businesses involved in the project have visions for what the campus of the future could look like.
“I believe the evolution of the Cherry Creek High School Campus to a state of the art, innovative education campus will help enable students to excel in their education and personal growth experience while attending,” Gross said.
The goal is to bring Creek from a blocky campus representing the 20th century era it was built in, into a futuristic campus allowing students “enhance the education experience,” according to Gross.
He believes that those concerned with raised taxes should remember that property value will increase with school updates.
“Taxes, of course, are an issue, and particularly for retired people, depending on their situation. But most of these folks are empty nesters. They had children that went to the schools, were in the district, and they value and appreciate Cherry Creek School District,” Gross said. “As a realtor, I can tell you, everyone that lives in the district is well aware of the increase in value of their home due to the reputation of [CCSD].”
At the core, according to the LRFPC’s goals, the Bond measure is all about improving the future for students to come, even if it may be challenging to adapt to changes as they come in the next decade.
“You have to invest to grow excellence. Folks have to look at the big picture and the benefit that these improvements and continued improvements will have on the value of their home,” Gross said. “The real question is, in my mind, is it necessary?…And it is. And is it necessary to continue to invest to grow education excellence in the school district? It absolutely is, and the district has proven itself.”
