THORNTON, Colo. — Over at the Future Forward Washington Square campus in Thornton, a different kind of school is in session.
Here, students like senior Parker Rippke are learning how to rotate tires. The hands-on knowledge he's picking up here is a welcomed change.
"When I heard that I was allowed to do this as a sophomore, I was so happy because I don't sit down well in class and I get antsy, I just start playing with stuff. So a class I can work with my hands is going to be a nice class to have," Rippke said.
And it's not the only way the Adams 12 school district gets him out of a traditional classroom.
"Yeah, actually I was honestly surprised. Because my parents were telling me, 'Oh, you can't work construction until you're out of high school.' And then, when I came here I was like, 'Wow, they were way wrong.' I'm a high schooler and I'm getting paid to go to school pretty much which not many high schoolers are able to do," Rippke said.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools Superintendent Chris Gdowski wants to expand these career and technical education (CTE) programs so more students can join in.
"We have lots of kids on waitlists currently in CTE and so, we want to get kids off waitlists, give them these opportunities and add new things like aviation, architectural design and advanced manufacturing," Gdowski said.
To pay for the CTE expansion, along with building and security improvements as well as HVAC upgrades, they're asking voters to approve an $830 million bond. No tax increase necessary.
They also want a $34.5 million mill levy override that would raise property taxes by about $240 a year for a $500,000 home in the Adams 12 school district.
Gdowski said that's needed to cover basics, like computer science, for every elementary schooler.
"Over time, what's happened is mill levy overrides are necessary just to pay for basics. If you want to pay your teachers a competitive salary, if you want to offer things like computer science or career and technical [education], you need more money than the state is giving you to do that," Gdowski said.
They're not the only district asking for more cash.
DPS is asking voters to approve a $975 million dollar bond. No tax increase.
Aurora wants a $1 billion dollar bond and a $30 million dollar levy. No tax increase.
Westminster and DougCo both have bond measures on the ballot. No tax increase needed to cover the cost.
Poudre is asking voters for a $49 million dollar mill levy that would raise property taxes $127 a year for a $500,000 home.
And Cherry Creek is asking for a $950 million dollar bond and a mill levy increase. That would hike up taxes around $180 a year for a $500,000 home.
For Adams 12 students like Rippke, he said the programs the district wants to expand are worth it.
"I think it is, just to get kids out and explore different trades or other things they can do," Rippke said.
Gdowski hopes the community feels the same.
"This community has consistently invested in its schools and we're optimistic they'll do it again," Gdowski said.
The school board with Adams 12 Five Star Schools voted unanimously to approve the bond and mill levy override measures. Those will be on the ballot for voters to decide in November.