Large-scale facility matters have been a significant talking point for USD 251 North Lyon County for well over a decade, and the district has started a patron survey as part of its latest round of community conversations.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Monday, Superintendent Bob Blair says the overall goal is to ensure the district’s sustainability well into the future.
Strategic Planning Committee Chair Kiley DeDonder says facility matters have been in front of the district for as long as she can remember, including three different — and unsuccessful — votes about 10 years ago. She sees this current effort as a way to cross generations towards a consensus direction.
Strategic Planning Committee member Rich Porter says something district patrons need to consider is the potential impacts if USD 251 gets absorbed into a nearby district.
Blair says a facility study by DCS brought out a lot of needs at Northern Heights and at North Lyon County Elementary/Junior High.
The survey includes three options, including renovating Northern Heights with a special addition; a new high school near NLC Elementary/Junior High; and a new K-12 campus near the center of the district’s student population. Porter says it’s critically important for patrons to have all the data they need, regardless of the option.
DeDonder encourages patrons to take the time to fill out the survey and keep giving the committee its input once the survey is done.
The survey has been mailed to district patrons and is currently available online at the district website, usd251.org. The deadline is Oct. 10. Residents filling out the paper version are asked to return their surveys to the district office at 614 Main Street in Americus. Results will be presented during the district board meeting Nov. 12.
Statement from USD 251 North Lyon County
AMERICUS, KS – USD 251 North Lyon County is inviting all district residents to participate in a survey about potential school facility improvements. The survey is a crucial step in the district’s effort to gather community feedback on options being considered by the Board of Education to address aging school facilities.
The survey builds on a two year long study by the Strategic Planning Committee that was appointed by USD 251 board of education members. The short survey will ask for opinions on options recommended by the committee. The results will directly inform future discussions and decisions about the next steps.
The survey opens on or about September 26 and will be available online and in paper format. While all registered voters will receive a paper copy by mail, the district strongly encourages individuals residing within the district to complete the online version. All patrons, regardless of voter registration status, can access the survey online. Each person of voting age should complete their own survey to ensure accurate results.
The deadline to complete the survey is October 10. You can access the survey by visiting https://www.usd251.org. Paper surveys can be returned by mail or dropped off at any school or the district office at 614 Main Street in Americus.
Survey results will be presented at the USD 251 Board of Education meeting on November 12. The full report will be available on the district website shortly after the meeting.
