The potential for district facility improvements is now in the hands of local voters following the passing of a resolution by the USD 253 Board of Education.
Board members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an election for a $78 million bond issue to fund improvements highlighted in the recent district facility needs assessment conducted by HTK Architects. The proposed bond amount is a stark difference from the original estimate of $115 million.
The new bond total also carries a mill levy increase of less than 3 mills, a major improvement from the original estimates. Board President Mike Crouch explains it’s hard to say if this number is the “right” number for all, however, he feels it is a responsible number.
Also during the meeting, Zack Snethen of HTK presented a short summary before the board. The contents of the summary included information collected through community meetings and meetings with USD 253 staff from the past two weeks.
Crouch says the community input has been essential for the progress which has been made on the bond topic so far.
The bond election is slated to take place on September 5th. If the public were to vote down the measure, Crouch says the board and other involved parties will regroup to find another viable option.
The payback period for the bond would be over the next 28 years.
In other business, board members received a report on Kansans Can data, specifically regarding Emporia High School. The report included information regarding social-emotional growth, individual plans of study and graduation rates.
According to the report around 160 students have attended a four-year college or university after graduation as of 2018. This number is up from 120 in 2016 and around 130 in 2017.
Board members also approved calendar adjustments for the next two academic years and the republishing of the bilingual education fund. The board will next convene on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 pm in the Mary Herbert Education Center.
