Monument resident running 100 miles for local ballot item

A man from Monument is running 100 miles -- yes, 100 -- in his neighborhood to raise awareness about an education-related ballot item. 

Darin Lewandowski, an ultramarathon runner, says he's running for ballot item 4A, which would allow the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 to obtain a bond to build a new elementary school. 

"Right now we're experiencing 'overcrowdiness' at the elementary school level and middle school levels," he said. "By allowing this bond to pass, it'll allow us to build a new elementary school."

The 4A bond would cost almost $30 million but Lewis-Palmer officials say it would be cost-neutral for the average homeowner in the Tri-Lakes area, meaning they would have no education tax increase. 

Parents say Bear Creek Elementary School was originally a middle school but converted to an elementary school as the community grew. If the bond passes, Bear Creek Elementary will be converted back to its original function as a middle school using district reserve funds. 

Lance Pearce, a resident in Monument, says the overcrowding affects her daughter, who is in sixth grade but attending an elementary school building.

"She misses out on having a full-size science lab as a result of that," Pearce said.

Lewandowski says he will be running into the night until he reaches his goal of 100 miles. 

"We can do better as a community to provide our students with the best education we can possibly give them," Lewandowski said.