The city of Manitou Springs recently passed a bond on November 25, 2025 for District 14. “The bond was for $37,600,000, but with additional premium during the issuing, the district received $41,742,623. This was for the entire district,” Suzi Thompson the Chief Financial Officer of District 14 said.
The 25-year bond has many focuses but is attentive towards three specifics. “The district’s goals for the bond were to address accessibility (ADA), improve safety and security and update critical infrastructure,” Thompson said.
An update to Manitou Springs High School using the bond money will be two secure entry vestibules. This is a double door system that will be located both at the front office entrance and the entrance in the commons. “The vestibules are critical to contain visitors in a secure area prior to getting access to the building. When someone enters the building they will be let into this locked entryway. This entry point makes sure we have a full understanding of visitors entering our building,” Thompson said.
The administrative assistant, principal and assistant principal will be moving to the very front of the building into MSHS health teacher and basketball coach Gabby Santos’s classroom. “This will allow for visitors to be physically seen by an adult before entering the building and for those that are only needing access to the front office to be contained in that area,” Thompson said.
Santos’s room will not only be used for principal offices. “Two offices, a conference room and waiting area will be included in that space. The reception window will be where the alumni currently exists,” superintendent Sean Dorsey said.
The funds from the bond will be used to update all four schools in District 14 over a period of three years. “We have to take advantage of summer because our buildings aren’t utilized but can only complete so much work each summer,” Thompson said.
There will be plenty of future projects that the district will be working on during the summer of 26 besides the double door system. In addition to the secure entries and track, the construction that will take place over the next three summers will affect access to MSHS, although a few spaces will still be open. “There will still be spaces that can be used, such as the gym and weight room. There will be times when the electricity will be shut off as we are upgrading lights in classrooms this summer. Some parking will be impacted due to construction vehicles and the track project,” Dorsey said.
The bond will fund all four schools within District 14 and it will impact taxes in Manitou Springs. “The bond raises taxes for residents and business owners throughout Manitou Springs School District 14. It is a 25-year bond,” Dorsey said.
To find more information on the bond visit, https://www.mssd14.org/bond.
