Durango School District 9-R will build a new school to replace the aging Florida Mesa Elementary. You're watching the Local News Network, brought to you by Dunkin Donuts and FastSigns Durango. I'm Connor Shreve. In November, Durango, residents approved a bond measure for the school district. The largest chunk of funds is earmarked for a Florida Mesa replacement, officials are now reviewing architect bids, touring innovative new schools, and starting on design philosophies for the new school.

There's new science supporting the fact that sunlight, more natural light, actually improves student outcomes. The nature of education as far as collaboration, outdoor spaces, places where different groups of students and teachers can work together collaboratively. It's not so much the sitting in rows behind desks these days.

School board director and treasurer, Rick Petersen says the area's educational programs and buildings must evolve with student needs. 9-R superintendent, Karen Cheser, says the district will go even further and will solicit suggestions from those who have the most interaction with the structure. Students.

And we want a school that really has a sense of place. It's sort of that mountain vernacular, mountain modern. We also want one that has a seamless transition into the outdoors. So a place where students are learning outside as much as they're learning inside. We are in a remarkable place for that to happen. So lots of animal habitats and learning spaces and really valuing the space.

The new school will be built to serve about 500 students on more than 40 acres in Three Springs. Petersen says the district needs the additional classrooms.

We've got lots of new developments between Three Springs. We have a couple developments going on down Highway 172 here. This is where we're seeing growth, so this is where we want to expand. The other thing is, quite honestly, you get to a point where you can only do so many patches and then you get to a point where it's not efficient, it's not good fiscal management to keep upgrading things and replacing things.

The district bond allots $150 million for various upgrades and improvements. 60 million will be used for the new school.

It's a big deal for my family and a big deal for this part of the county. So, yeah, we were pretty thrilled. And we were thrilled by the fact that over 60% of the people who voted supported it. I believe that's actually the last four bond initiatives or mill levies that we've gone out for that the community is supported. It's clear that this community values education and is willing to make the investment.

More than 60% of La Plata County residents approved the mill Levy tax increase, which costs homeowners around $200 per year, depending on the value of their home. The district hopes to have designs finalized early next year and to start construction in summer of 2026. You can find more information about this and other stories at durangolocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of The Local News Network. I'm Connor Shreve.