Manitou Springs celebrates first day of school, renovations since $37 million tax bond

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A $37 million bond is funding three years of upgrades at Manitou Springs schools. Students say the community behind those walls matters just as much as the buildings themselves.

The high school sits on one of the better overlooks in the region. Built in the 1960s, it is getting the kind of attention it has needed for a long time.

New roofs, mechanical units, and infrastructure work are already underway, all paid for by a bond voters approved last November. School District Chief Financial Officer Suzi Thompson said the district moved fast once the money was secured.

"We hit the ground running, started work right away," she said. "Infrastructure, mechanical units, roofs... knowing this is really what we needed for these kids and our schools."

But ask students what makes Manitou Springs High School worth investing in, and they skip past the building entirely.

"We're really tied in with our town," one student said. "The kids, they've all gone here together since kindergarten."

Students talk about that closeness constantly.

"Everyone cares here," another student said. "The staff cares. The community cares. The students care. And it just shows a sense of community that other schools don't really have."

Spanish teacher Ingrid Perez said the relationships are what keep her there.

"I love my coworkers," she said. "I love building relationships with the kids."

The bond money covers work across the entire district over the next three years, including the middle school and elementary schools as well.

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