Weld County School District RE-1

08/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Weld RE-1 Refinances Bonds, Saving Taxpayers $1.36 Million

August 25, 2026 — Gilcrest, Colorado — Weld County School District RE-1 has successfully refinanced its existing 2017 bonds, saving local taxpayers approximately $1.36 million between now and 2031.

Much like refinancing a home loan when better interest rates are available, the District refinanced $28.15 million of its existing bonds at a lower interest cost. The bonds will still be paid off in 2031 as originally planned—the District is not extending the repayment period. Instead, the lower interest cost means taxpayers will pay approximately $1.36 million less over the remaining life of the bonds.

“This is a great outcome for our taxpayers and reflects our continued commitment to being responsible with the resources our community provides,” said Kim Bloemen, Superintendent of Weld RE-1. “We are not borrowing additional money or extending the life of these bonds. We are simply reducing the amount of interest our taxpayers will have to pay through 2031.”

Financial Stability Makes a Difference
The District’s continued focus on financial stability also played an important role in the successful refinancing.

Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Weld RE-1’s A2 bond rating, specifically noting the District’s strong fund balance levels and strong property values as factors supporting the rating. The District also received significant interest from investors, with more than $46 million in orders for the $28.15 million in bonds available for purchase. The refinancing resulted in a 3.13% true interest cost.

“Our Board of Education and district leadership have worked intentionally to strengthen the financial position of Weld RE-1,” Bloemen said. “Maintaining healthy reserves and making thoughtful financial decisions matters. Our financial stability helped position the District for a successful bond refinancing and, ultimately, meaningful savings for our taxpayers.”

The Savings Belong to Our Taxpayers
It is important for the community to know that the $1.36 million in savings does not become additional operating money for the District. The savings are in the District’s bond payments and are for the benefit of taxpayers.

“This is exactly what responsible financial stewardship should look like,” Bloemen said. “When we have an opportunity to save our taxpayers money while continuing to meet our financial commitments, we should take it. We appreciate the trust our communities place in Weld RE-1, and we will continue looking for opportunities to use taxpayer dollars wisely.”

Weld RE-1 serves students and families throughout Gilcrest, LaSalle and Platteville and remains committed to strong schools, responsible financial management and transparency with its community.

Weld County School District RE-1
Viking Strong, United As One!

08/24/2026

What a great way to kick off the year! Weld RE-1’s Convocation & Professional Learning Day was a success, bringing our staff together around the power of relationships, perseverance, teamwork and believing in the potential of every student.

We were honored to welcome Thomas Valles, whose life story was part of the inspiration for Disney’s McFarland, USA. Thomas was the top runner on McFarland High School’s historic 1987 California state championship cross-country team.

Thomas spent time with our staff, coaches and student-athletes, sharing a message that connects strongly to who we are in Weld RE-1:

“Champions can come from anywhere.”

His story reminds us that where someone begins does not determine where they can go. Through perseverance, dedication, a positive attitude, goal-setting and the support of people who believe in us, challenges can become opportunities. Thomas also spoke to the impact that coaches, educators and other caring adults can have on a young person’s life—something he experienced firsthand.

It was a powerful reminder for our staff and students as we begin another year: believe in people, work hard, stay positive, support one another and never underestimate what is possible.

Thank you, Thomas, for spending the day with Weld RE-1 and reminding us that champions really can come from anywhere!

🎬 Watch the official trailer for Disney’s McFarland, USA:
McFarland, USA — Official Trailer - https://youtu.be/fOupcStlL0c?feature=shared

Viking Strong, United As One!

08/24/2026

Senior Maddox Woolverton is currently completing his Work-Based Learning (WBL) internship at BRC Fabrication!

Through WBL, students earn high school credit while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in their chosen post-secondary career field. We currently have 20 students completing WBL internships with a variety of local businesses, and we already have 20 more students signed up for the spring semester!

If your business—or someone you know who owns a business—is interested in working with high school students and helping prepare them for their post-secondary careers, please contact Alicia Stolzenberger at [email protected].

Thank you to our local business partners for investing in the future of our students and workforce!

08/21/2026

📣 BIG NEWS FOR VIKING NATION! 📣

Huge congratulations to VHS Student Athlete Alli Espinosa! 📣✨

Alli is heading to New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime experience: spending a week working alongside 600 top cheerleaders from across the country to learn a professionally choreographed routine. The highlight? She will be marching in—and performing live at Herald Square for—the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! 🗽🍂🎉

We couldn't be prouder to have Alli representing Viking Nation on national TV and one of the biggest stages in the world.

08/21/2026

🔍 Fifth graders at Pete Mirich Elementary School in Weld County School District RE-1 explored the inquiry cycle in science and learned how to ask investigative questions; and

Learning is well underway this school year! Students across Colorado have hit the ground running with hands-on, team-building activities that are setting them up for success:

👋 Kindergarteners at Mountain Vista Community School in Harrison School District 2 learned to identify their left from their right through a fun movement activity;

🗼 STEM students at Roosevelt Middle School in Weld RE-5J School District competed to build the tallest free standing paper structure without using tape to test their architecture skills;

🔍 Fifth graders at Pete Mirich Elementary School in Weld County School District RE-1 explored the inquiry cycle in science and learned how to ask investigative questions; and

🧩 Students at STEM School Highlands Ranch analyzed a tarp and noodle maze as an example of how to design board game boards for an upcoming Technology Student Association (TSA) competition.

08/21/2026

🚌 Look for Bus #41 at Harvest Daze Parade on Saturday August 22nd! 🎉

Weld RE-1 is excited to have our brand-new School Bus #41 rolling through the Harvest Daze Parade in Platteville!

Give our bus a wave as it makes its parade debut! We’re proud to be part of this great community tradition and excited to show off one of the newest additions to the Weld RE-1 fleet.

🖤💛 Viking Strong, United As One! 💛🖤

08/20/2026

Huge congratulations to Valley FFA’s 2026-2027 Vice President, Sydney Bruce! 📰✨

Sydney’s news article is officially featured in the Fall/Winter 2026 edition of the National FFA New Horizons magazine—a publication with a rich 70-year history of celebrating FFA excellence nationwide! 🌾💙

In her article, Sydney highlights the incredible work-based learning opportunities offered right here at Valley High School and Weld RE-1, showing the entire country how our students prepare for the future.

We are beyond proud of your hard work, leadership, and talent, Sydney. You are a absolute rock star! 👏🎉

08/20/2026

The athletic season is upon us, and there is much to be proud of at VHS!

Every morning, 20–25 young men and women rise early, get themselves ready, and arrive before the school day begins to put in the work. This year, all of our athletes are following the same lifting routine during Zero Hour and in our weightlifting classes. That extra preparation matters. It builds strength, discipline, confidence, and the readiness to step onto the practice field or court and give our very best. With that preparation success during games will happen.

A great shout-out to all of our fall athletes who have answered the call and committed themselves to the work. We see your efforts during practice and this week during games. We see the early mornings, and in the heat during the afternoon.

And to our coaches: thank you for your leadership, your patience, and your commitment to helping these young people grow.

Most of all, thank you to our parents and families. You are the ones getting our student-athletes out the door in the early morning, getting them to practices and games, encouraging them through the victories, and standing beside them through the struggles. Your support is a vital part of this journey.

We move forward together—with confidence in our young people, faith in their ability to rise to the challenge, and optimism for the season ahead.

Let’s go, fall athletes! We are proud of you!

08/18/2026

What a GREAT first full week of school here at PMES! 🎒✏️

Our students have been showing what it means to be Viking Ready—earning Kudos for being learners who are safe, kind, responsible, and respectful. We are so proud of the way they are growing and building our school community!

We also had some amazing learning opportunities this week! Our first Wacky Wednesday gave students the chance to explore hands-on STEM activities while also participating in SEL lessons.

5th Grade Spotlight: Students explored the inquiry cycle in science and began learning how asking questions, investigating, and reflecting help scientists make sense of the world around them.

It was a wonderful week of learning and growth!

Friendly reminder: Please make sure the playground is cleared after picking up your student. The playground is open for public use after 4:15 p.m. Thank you for helping us keep our dismissal routines safe and smooth!

08/16/2026

Let's hear it for Juliana!

Please meet Juliana from Valley Middle School in LaSalle, part of the Weld County School District RE-1! Juliana competed in the 2026 contest season and created a beautiful website. NHDC is so proud of students like Juliana, who work so hard to understand the importance of history and flourish in a classroom with a fabulous history teacher, such as Valley's Ms. Moreau!

Consider making a donation to NHDC, which helps fund classrooms statewide: https://giving.ucdenver.edu/back-to-school-forward-to-history-2026/?a=13645294