Poudre School District's $49 Million Mill Levy Brings New Equipment and Resources to Art Classrooms
Poudre School District art students are already seeing the impact of the $49 million annual mill levy approved by Larimer County voters in 2024, with new kilns, pottery wheels, cameras, and paintbrushes arriving in classrooms across all grade levels to create more equitable access to artistic expression.
The mill levy funding supports visual arts programs districtwide by standardizing equipment and resources that previously varied significantly between schools, according to Visual Art Curriculum Facilitator Allison Alter. Students now have access to professional-grade materials regardless of which PSD school they attend.
"Mill levy funds are having an immediate and positive impact on the visual arts in PSD by allowing us to standardize equipment and resources districtwide," Alter said. "By providing items like new kilns, pottery wheels, cameras, and paintbrushes, we ensure all students, regardless of their school site, have equitable access to meaningful art-making experiences."
The arts equipment purchases represent part of the broader mill levy investment approved by voters under Ballot Issue 4A last November. Property owners pay up to $25.40 annually per $100,000 in home value to fund the initiative, according to district financial documents.
Funding Allocated Across Multiple Program Areas
The $49 million annual mill levy dedicates $22.9 million for building maintenance and repairs, while $21.5 million supports classroom resources, salaries, career and technical education, and neighborhood school programs. Charter schools receive $4.6 million through the funding mechanism.
Arts programming falls within the classroom resources category, which aims to provide comprehensive materials for well-rounded education including arts, music, and physical education supplies. The standardization effort addresses previous disparities where some schools had outdated or insufficient arts equipment while others maintained better-equipped facilities.
The mill levy operates under Colorado's Debt-Free Schools Act, allowing districts to collect dedicated revenue for facility maintenance and educational resources without incurring long-term debt obligations that burden future taxpayers.
Multi-Year Implementation Timeline
District officials emphasize that current equipment purchases represent only the beginning of planned improvements. Additions and upgrades will continue over the next several years to establish PSD as a statewide leader in arts education opportunities.
"Access to these kinds of opportunities is an invaluable chance for students to express themselves and grow as learners," said Superintendent Brian Kingsley. "Providing students with the tools they need to dive deeper into the arts will open up a world of possibilities for future creators, and I am so excited to see what our students are inspired to make."
The phased approach allows the district to strategically distribute resources while assessing program needs and student interest levels across different schools and grade levels.
The comprehensive arts equipment upgrade comes as PSD faces budget challenges in other program areas, with career and technical education programs reporting $10,000 to $15,000 shortfalls after student fee elimination. The mill levy's dedicated arts funding helps ensure visual arts programs avoid similar resource constraints.
Community Investment in Educational Excellence
The mill levy approval reflects strong community support for comprehensive education programming that extends beyond core academic subjects. Larimer County voters recognized the importance of arts education in developing well-rounded students prepared for diverse post-graduation pathways.
Commercial property owners contribute $114.40 annually per $100,000 in assessed value, demonstrating business community investment in workforce development that includes creative and technical skills. The funding structure spreads costs across residential and commercial taxpayers to support district-wide improvements.
"PSD thanks the voters of Larimer County for approving this mill levy in last year's election," district officials stated. "Your dedication to supporting your school district is already having a profound impact on PSD students today and will for years to come."
The arts equipment investments align with broader district efforts to ensure all students graduate with diverse options for post-secondary success, whether through traditional college pathways, career and technical training, or creative industry opportunities that require strong foundational skills in visual arts and design.