BRIGHTON —  School District 27J will use excess money from a 2006 bond election to build a new district elementary school, tentatively scheduled to open in Fall 2012.
     District officials said, in addition to the construction of two elementary schools, two new middle schools and a variety of facility repair projects, 27J was left with $9.7 million from the $89 million, voter-approved bond election.
    The school district now plans to use that money for future school construction.
    A portion of the money will go toward the construction of a new 500-student elementary school at 132nd Avenue and Tamarac Street on the district's western boundary. The school is now under design and the district hopes to open it in 2012.
    The district also used leftover bond funds, coupled with other available funds contributed by local developers, to purchase a 73-acre site in the western portion of the district which will serve as a future middle and high school site.
     “The public has often heard me speak of the district striving to get a $1.15 value out of every dollar," 27J Superintendent Rod Blunck said. "These project savings and wise stewardship of taxpayer money are clear examples of these efforts.  In effect, the taxpayers will receive a new middle school site, a new high school site and a new school all without any additional tax burden. 
     "This type of benefit to taxpayers is almost unheard of in this day and age," Blunck added. "We are proud of our efforts in being able offer these benefits to our school community."