By Kelsy Been
On September 1, the Archuleta School District Board of Education voted 5-0 to place an approximately $79.9 million bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to help fund a proposed new PK-8 school and facility improvements at Pagosa Peak Open School. The proposed PK-8 school would move forward only if voters approve the bond and the district is awarded an approximately $50 million Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant. The bond would provide the required local match for the BEST grant.
“The Board’s responsibility is to make decisions about what’s best for our students. This proposal comes after years of community conversation on this topic. The Board’s vote honors that process,” said Board President Bob Lynch. “Now we’re putting the decision in the community’s hands.”
The estimated property tax impact of the bond is approximately $5.15 per month for every $100,000 of a home’s actual value.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Many homeowners pay their property taxes in one yearly payment. ASD is here estimating that a median-priced single-family home would pay about $350 a year in additional tax, if the bond measure is approved.
“This decision follows nearly two years of deep community engagement, careful planning, and extensive evaluation of our current school facilities,” Superintendent Rick Holt said. “Throughout this process, we have worked with parents, staff, community members and experts to understand the condition of our schools and identify a long-term solution that meets the needs of our students and community.”
The bond would provide the local match required for the $50 million BEST grant ASD requested this spring. The district’s proposed PK-8 school is currently the first alternate for funding. Three projects ranked ahead of ASD are contingent on successful local bond elections this November; if sufficient funding becomes available following those elections, ASD could receive a BEST grant.
If funding does not become available this fall, the district can apply again during the 2027 BEST grant cycle. In either case, a voter-approved bond is needed to provide the local funding required to accept a BEST grant.
Additional information about the proposed bond, PK-8 school project, estimated tax impact and BEST grant process is available at mypagosaschools.com
Kelsy Been handles communications for the Archuleta School District.