While USD 253 Administration certainly did not want to see a delay in the $78 million bond election, Superintendent Kevin Case says the district is turning it into a positive.
Case spoke with KVOE News following the Board of Education’s regular meeting Wednesday evening and says they are taking the additional time to provide more informational opportunities to district stakeholders. During the meeting, Case presented a new timeline and calendar — developed by Gilmore and Bell — for the Nov. 5 election to the board.
Case says between now and the general election the district already has plans in motion which will help to continue their informational efforts, including weekly highlights on the district’s website, www.usd253.org. In addition, Case says the district is in the process of finalizing an additional open house opportunity between now and the general election. More information on that should be released on the district’s website in the coming weeks.
In addition to an election update, Zac Snethen of HTK Architects also presented an introduction on the process of constructing a new early learning facility before the board. During their Aug. 14 meeting, the board voted to give direction for district administration and HTK to begin discussions on the potential construction of a new facility to replace Maynard Early Childhood Center.
Snethen says they are just in the early stages of the process. He explains at this point conversations are not focused on what the overall look of the facility will be, but rather what needs to be included in the facility to help meet student needs.
Of course, the construction of a new facility is highly dependant on whether the district’s bond issue sees approval come Nov. 5. Both Snethen and Case say at this time no discussions have taken place on alternatives for funding the facility if the bond were to fail.
Between now and the election HTK will be conducting community and faculty input sessions — much like those done during the district’s facility needs assessment last year — to gain more insight into desired outcomes for a new facility.
In other business, board members approved a memorandum of understanding between USD 253 and Communities in Schools for 2019-2020. The Board of Education will hold their next regular meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 pm inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
