Margie Adams and Brad Bernero, co-chairs of the Citizens for Cherry Creek Schools, talk with volunteers and snack on popcorn as they await the official numbers of the 3A and 3B vote.

Adams and Bernero, both longtime parent volunteers, were recruited for the co-chair position last February. Since then, they have been working with 70 volunteer leaders and countless other volunteers to educate the public and advocate support for 3A and 3B.

"This was a huge team effort," Adams said.

Over the course of the campaign effort, Citizens for Cherry Creek Schools have gone out on 166 speaking engagements, passed out 4,000 signs and made over 20,000 phone calls.

Adams said that at one point there were 20 people making calls for 18 straight nights, mostly out of her husband's office in the Denver Technological Center.

"The thing that's been so critical is the grassroots efforts of the organization," Adams said.

"You've got to get out and talk to people and I think it's more effective that way," Bernero said.

Adams and Bernero also touched on the property value benefits of a strong school district.

"We're surrounded by so many great school districts, but the property values are still higher in Cherry Creek," Adams said.

Bernero said that when his son, now a college student, is thrown into the mix with his classmates, he has been better prepared for college life.

"It just goes to show the effectiveness of the district," Bernero said. "We're educating kids and doing it well."

Adams touched on the specifics of 3B, saying that the money from 3B is needed to build new elementary school buildings.

"If we don't build those schools, those kids have to go somewhere," Adams said.

Squeezing kids into the existing schools would make the student to teacher ratio greater in classrooms.

According to Bernero, 70 percent of voters do not have kids in school, but he encourages these residents to go and see the excellence in Cherry Creek schools for themselves.

Almost all the schools have open houses or concerts or plays, Bernero said.

People are so-so about kids today, but if they see for themselves they will discover that we're on the right path and kids here have promise, Bernero said.

More definitive information and precinct numbers are expected in about 15 minutes time.

Parents with kids in tow sit around on of the tables in the school commons area decorated with a balloon cluster of the school's colors, burgundy and gray. Volunteers have been working long hours making phone calls, passing out flyers, passing out yard signs, writing editorials and advocating for 3A and 3B.

"There's 50,000 reason why we needed to support this effort," said volunteer Diem Sellers, referring to the 50,000 students in the district.

Volunteer and parent Yesenia Rodgers said she knows first-hand what a Cherry Creek education can do.

"My husband went through Cherry Creek, so we believe 100 percent in Cherry Creek schools," Rodgers said.

So far, numbers have been encouraging for the ballot issues, but even without all the votes counted, Rodgers is not worried.

"I'm confident its going to pass," she said. "I have confidence in our parents."

During the campaign, volunteers encountered many residents who did not have school-age or any children. These residents also benefit from the initiatives, because if the school district continues to be a draw into the real estate market, property values will maintain and increase, volunteers said.

An although the district will be receiving millions of dollars from 3A and 3B, the everyday cost for residents is much less.

"It comes down to five dollars a month, 16 cents a day," Sellers said. "It's less than a latte."

Superintendent Monte Moses announces to the gathered crowd the results of a majority of the early voting. So far the numbers indicate a pass on both 3A and 3B.

"I like what we're seeing so far," Moses said.

Board of Education members and Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Monte Moses mill around the commons area, snacking on grapes and other goodies on long white tables. Moses said he hopes to be celebrating a victory tonight. The folks who have gathered are expecting to have a solid idea of the outcomes for 3A and 3B by 9 p.m.

Supporters of the Cherry Creek School District ballot issues 3A and 3B are gathering at Campus Middle School, 4785 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village, to watch the voting tally. Four televisions, two tuned to local stations Channel 4 and Channel 9 and two spouting the national news, surround the school's commons area. The school also is a polling station and last minute voters are filling out their ballots as District officials and supporters start to trickle into the school for the action.

"We chose this location so it could be easily reaches by people from all over the district," said Tustin Amole, public information officer for Cherry Creek School District.