Have you ever cleaned your home’s carpets and been shocked by the gunk that comes out? Now, imagine hundreds of little shoes stomping on the same school hallway carpet, year after year. Try not to imagine the wear and tear on school plumbing.
Schools across the nation are worn and torn, and Durango School District 9-R is no exception. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average age of U.S. public school buildings is 44 years. Many of our facilities in La Plata County were built in the 1950s and 1960s, reaching or surpassing their expected life span of about 50 years.
A facility condition report from October 2023 revealed that 6 out of 10 of the district’s facilities were rated “below average” because of outdated systems like electrical, mechanical, roofing, plumbing and safety features. If this were a graded test, our school facilities would receive a D.
Buildings from the mid-20th century were not designed to meet today’s educational needs and safety standards. Common issues include outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; insufficient modern technology infrastructure; and inadequate safety measures. The district’s facilities team often finds that mechanical systems are so old that replacement parts are hard to come by – or no longer made.
In response to these challenges, school districts often seek community support. Thanks to the local 4A Bond passed in 2020, significant construction and repair work is near completion. Our teams are working diligently to improve schools before the 2024-25 school year begins on Aug. 20. The bond has enabled multiple upgrades this summer, including enhancements to the welding room at Durango High School, secure entryways at elementary schools, HVAC improvements, and a mix of new and old structures at Miller Middle School.
Despite the summer blitz of work, much remains to be done. Similar to dealing with a leaky roof, some repairs eventually require full replacements to prevent further issues – or you’ll wind up with buckets on the floor to catch the drips.
After the 4A Bond funds are exhausted, continued work on aging buildings becomes challenging. This is because the district prioritizes staff compensation. In the 2023-24 school year, 87% of the budget was allocated to employee compensation. A starting teacher salary is now $51,500 – a 29% increase since 2020.
While state grants and matching funds provide some support, a significant portion of funding for school facilities in Colorado comes from local efforts and voter-approved measures.
Karla Sluis is the public information officer for Durango School District 9-R. To share feedback about schools’ maintenance needs, visit durangoschools.org/engage.
