USD 253 may be closing in on a potential bond resolution for updates to district facilities.
The majority of conversation during the board’s regular meeting Wednesday centered around bond options for the district to fund facility updates recommended through the recent facility needs assessment. Dustin Avey of Piper Jaffray was in attendance to go through the logistics of the bond process and the impact it could potentially have on the community.
Several bond amounts were discussed during the meeting ranging from $60 million to $80 million. Each of these totals would carry a different increase to the mill levy ranging from 1 to 5 mills.
USD 253 Superintendent Kevin Case says figuring out the ideal number for their needs is the major priority at this time.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Rob Scheib they have been looking at options which will help to reduce the impact of potential tax increases to the public while also meeting the district’s facility needs.
Scheib says luckily the district does qualify for state aid which would see 35 percent of a bond election paid for by the state of Kansas. This would essentially help keep the mill levy down and reduce any rise in tax rates.
Recently the district and HTK Architects have begun re-evaluating the original improvement recommendations to identify which upgrades are of the most pressing need. Board members are attempting to have a bond resolution adopted by May 8th in order to keep the district on track with a previously determined timeline to be eligible for available bond cap space through the State Board of Education.
Board members made the recommendation that HTK Architects and district representatives come back for the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting with a bond proposal ready for discussion. According to Board President Mike Crouch if a general consensus were to be reached action could be taken.
Also during the meeting board members discussed the process for filling the board clerk position as current clerk Dana Witten is planning to step down from the position after this year. A second reading of student handbooks and a first reading of board policy updates also took place.
Board members unanimously approved both items as presented with the exception of one item included in the policy updates. That item will come before the board during their next meeting.
The USD 253 Board of Education will next meet Wednesday, April 24 at 7 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
