Dear Sagewood Middle Community,

On August 23, the Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted 7-0 to place a $60 million Mill Levy Override (MLO) and $450 million Bond on the 2022 ballot.

If passed by voters, these new funds would be used at our school to:

• Increase teacher and staff pay

• Enhance safety and security systems

• Refresh student and staff technology

• Make much needed repairs and upgrades to our building

• Replace boilers

• Install new intercom system

• Upgrade elevator

• Resurface parking lot

• Replace restroom wash areas

Our teachers in the Douglas County School District earn, on average, $18,000 less compared to a neighboring school district. Additional MLO funding, if passed by voters, would help the school district provide teachers and staff, including the amazing staff at our school, a competitive salary.

• DCSD teachers, on average, would receive a 9% pay increase, as reflected in these salary schedules

• Classified staff members, such as bus drivers, educational assistants, custodians, etc., would receive a 9% pay increase

• Other staff, including school principals and administrators, would receive a 6% pay increase

A $450 million Bond, if passed by voters, would help DCSD construct three new neighborhood elementary schools in quickly growing neighborhoods (The Canyons in Castle Pines, Crystal Valley Ranch in Castle Rock, and Sterling Ranch in Highlands Ranch). It would also provide for building expansions at Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock and Sierra Middle School in Parker to help reduce crowding and plan for growth. The Bond would also assist DCSD in implementing safety and security upgrades, and updating and repairing its existing school buildings (including ours), to provide safe, efficient, quality learning environments for students and staff.

If the MLO and Bond are approved by voters, Douglas County homeowners will pay $1 per week per $100,000 of home value. For example, a Douglas County resident with a home valued at $500,000 would pay approximately $250 more per year if both measures are approved.

You can read more about Douglas County School District’s funding challenges on our website. Thank you for continuing to be an engaged and informed member of our school community!

Sincerely,

Ben D'Ardenne
Principal

Sagewood Middle School

Get your tickets to see the world champion Denver Nuggets play the Utah Jazz on Oct. 30! Our very own band and choir will be performing at the game! We would love to see you at the game supporting our students!

Nutrition Services is in need of parent volunteers to help us feed all of our students and staff! Please send out this link and encourage your parent community to help out. Once the form is filled out, we will get them background checked and working in our kitchens when they are available.

• Strictly no Door Dash deliveries UNLESS it's a PBIS reward (student has to present their PBIS certificate).
• No student sign-out past 2:30pm. Apologies - it's difficult to look for students 10 minutes before dismissal.

We have some great 2023 Fall/Winter Community events for you and your school communities that we are excited to share with you!

Check out our first round of events! Look for more sports, DCPA offerings, AND some special offers from our new partner, Gaylord Rockies Resort, coming soon! Purchase all tickets directly from the Community Event page of our website, and look for new opportunities to be added soon!