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Steamboat Springs — Melinda Mawdsley

Pilot & Today Staff

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs Superintendent Donna Howell's voice was barely audible Tuesday night, but the smile on her face spoke volumes.

Referendums 3C and 3D were passing by a convincing margin, so Howell was optimistic that Soda Creek Elementary School was going to be rebuilt and Strawberry Park Elementary School was going to be expanded. She was pleased that staff pay was going to increase and the district could focus on attracting and retaining quality staff.

Referendum 3C passed with 62 percent of the vote. Referendum 3D passed with 60 percent of the vote.

"I was very optimistic, but I was just thrilled with those numbers," School Board President Denise Connelly said.

The majority support both ballot initiatives received from Steamboat voters was an appreciated and successful ending for "Yes For Steamboat Schools," an organization of community members who worked behind-the-scenes on behalf of 3C and 3D.

The School Board didn't approve of putting 3D, a $29.7 million bond issue, and 3C, a mill levy override, on Tuesday's ballot until its Aug. 28 meeting. Discussion of rebuilding Soda Creek and renovating Strawberry Park started in June, but formalized campaigning did not begin until approximately two months before the election.

"This was a short campaign," Howell acknowledged. "I never thought we didn't have enough time to do it. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I felt we could do it. I didn't allow myself to focus on the possibility they weren't going to pass. My energy went to getting information to people."

The efforts of Howell, Connelly, parent Anne Baro-unos, parent Julie Taulman, parent Julie Ernst, and many other local men and women contributed to the passage of 3C and 3D.

"I can't say we could have worked harder or longer," said Connelly, who also mentioned that she walked around the schools Wednesday and said the teachers expressed optimism and hope for the future. "We are so fortunate to have this community support and have education and our kids be so important to this community - bottom line."

At Monday's School Board meeting - the night before the election - Steamboat Springs Education Association President Brad Kindred stood up during public comment.

On behalf of the district staff the SSEA represents, Kindred, a middle school teacher, wanted to publicly thank the "Yes for Steamboat Schools" committee members for their work.

He singled out Howell, thanking her for campaigning on behalf of district schools and staff at every function she attended, from Strings in the Mountains events to Yampa Valley Community Foundation meetings.

Howell credited all those who campaigned on behalf of the Steamboat schools for Tuesday's success. But the passage of 3D and 3C were extremely important to Howell, who is in her fourth year with the district.

"My issue, my commitment and my passion is to make a difference for the students," Howell said. "This district has such capacity to be the very best in Colorado. We needed this facility. We needed to be able to attract and retain."

A series of poorly attended community forums were held last spring and again this fall to discuss the elementary schools. Polls and surveys were conducted to gauge interest in the two ballot initiatives. When the responses revealed support, the School Board moved forward.

"It doesn't matter who much time and preparation you do if the timing isn't right for the voters," Connelly said. "There are so many other things coming up (in future elections)."

Both Howell and Connelly have said they wished attendance had been better at the public forums. In an effort to reach as many people as possible, campaign committee members handed out fliers, answered questions, purchased lawn signs and championed for the cause at every function they attended.

The results were successful.

The School Board will now move forward with construction plans and a timetable. Discussion of Soda Creek and Strawberry Park is on the Nov. 20 agenda.

- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com