Facility Enhancements

For our students to come to school prepared and ready to learn, our facilities need to be ready to serve them. Prior to 2020, the last bond for Weld RE-5J School District was passed in 2003. Between then and 2020, enrollment more than doubled. Our facilities had minor additions to accommodate the growth, but much needed maintenance and improvements were deferred.


We are putting a major investment into our facilities thanks to our voters. Projects include:

  • A new playground, carpet, and furniture for Pioneer Ridge Elementary School.

  • An interior redesign that includes furniture and HVAC system for Milliken Elementary School.

  • New furniture for Milliken Middle School.

Find more information about specific enhancements to each site below.


Milliken Elementary School

We are making improvements to Milliken Elementary School to address safety and security needs, extend its useful life, and reduce costly emergency repairs.

Why are improvements needed?

Facility Condition Index (FCI) - This ratio is calculated by the Colorado Department of Education and is an industry-standard measurement of a facility’s condition. FCI is the ratio of the cost to correct a facility's deficiencies to the current replacement value of the facilities. The Facility Scorecard (FCI) for Milliken Elementary measured in the critical range.

Budget for improvements: $4,846,695

  • New furniture

  • Complete playground renovation

  • Interior and exterior building renovation

  • Improvements to Early Childhood Center

New Furniture

Milliken Elementary School worked with Office Scapes, a Colorado based company, to select high quality, flexible furniture. New flexible seating options were prioritized. In addition to being sturdy, comfortable, and attractive pieces of furniture, the fittings (including STEM carts, maker spaces and much more) are designed to promote collaboration, project-based learning, and STEM learning. A Furniture Advisory Committee representing every team/grade from Milliken Elementary School and Pioneer Ridge Elementary School (who got new furniture at the same time as Milliken Elementary School) worked extensively over several months and used a design thinking model to reimagine spaces to fit how kids learn best.

Proposed Redesign of MES - January 2022

As part of the bond provision, Milliken Elementary School will undergo a redesign to overcome major HVAC issues, ensure that all classrooms have natural light access, and to address other concerns. The redesign will modernize the building to create a safer and more engaging facility for students. Click the picture on the right to see more information.

Pioneer Ridge Elementary

We are making improvements to Pioneer Ridge Elementary School to address safety and security needs, extend the building's useful life, and reduce costly emergency repairs in the future.

Budget for project: $2,000,000

  • Architecture:

    • Addition of a secure vestibule and transaction window at the main entry.

    • Re-sealing of exterior masonry

    • Replacement of sidewalk to building caulking where necessary.

    • Repointing of exterior masonry where necessary

  • Site / Civil Scope:

    • Repaving and repair of parking lots

    • Replacement of damaged curbs

    • Upgrades to site drainage in the parking lot and around the north side of the building

  • Technology:

  • Replace Existing Access control with new access control system (All exterior doors and some interior doors).

  • Added surveillance cameras, including all required infrastructure

  • Replace existing door intercom with new intercom

  • Added surveillance cameras to light poles at the building entry

  • Audio/Visual:

    • Upgrade to Intercom/Public Address system.

  • Electrical / Mechanical

    • Replace roof top units with new units with cooling and enhanced filtration.

Milliken Middle School

We are making improvements to Milliken Middle School to address safety and security needs, extend its useful life, and reduce costly emergency repairs.

Budget for project: $5,500,000

  • New furniture

  • Interior building renovation

Knowledge Quest Academy

Knowledge Quest Academy received $1,000,000 for facility improvements.

Budget for project: $1,000,000

  • New addition – 4,980 sq. ft. single story (4) classroom addition with restroom group and flex room

  • Renovation – 3,285 sq. ft. renovation transforming (4) classrooms into a new 1,000 sq. ft. art classroom and 1,130 sq. ft. Tech Lab, along with new support spaces such as (2) conference rooms, and (2) storage spaces