The latest effort to determine USD 251 North Lyon County’s future direction on facilities led to a series of interesting findings. The survey answers also pose an obvious question for Strategic Planning Committee Chair Kiley DeDonder: what happens next.
During the district’s regular board meeting Wednesday, DCS Services education consultant Shelly Kiblinger directed the conversation on a patron survey available earlier this fall. Most of the respondents see the need for some renovations at both North Lyon County Elementary/Junior High at Americus and Northern Heights High School outside Admire. As far as potential options presented — renovations at Northern Heights, a new high school near NLC Elementary/Junior High or a new K-12 campus near the district’s population center, support or strong support was nearly even for the new high school or new campus, 47 percent for the new high school and 45 percent for the new campus. Opposition and strong opposition was slightly higher for the new campus at 37 percent versus 31 percent for the new high school.
Support or strong support for Northern Heights renovations was around 28 percent. Opposition and strong opposition was around 50 percent.
Another topic addressed Wednesday was potential support for a tax increase for renovations or new construction. The data indicated over 30 percent of those surveyed would support a bond package of up to $40 million. Eighteen percent would support a bond of up to $30 million. Fifteen percent, meanwhile, would not support any tax increase for school facilities. DeDonder says the tax question indicates a willingness by district patrons to invest in its future.
Of the nearly 550 responses, 501 were from district patrons. The survey had about 21 percent of the district’s registered voters responding, above the goal of 18 percent. DeDonder was pleased with the turnout.
DeDonder says the district is working to maintain its vitality and sustainability.
Given the sensitivity of the topic, DeDonder says USD 251 patrons can still give their input, even though the survey period has ended.
The survey continues a better-than-two-year effort involving studies and other conversations as the district determines its courses of action and ways to generate district-wide support for whatever moves may come. The district had three unsuccessful votes on new construction a decade ago.
