Two months ago, residents of Morris County voted down a better than $30 million bond package for school improvements and USD 417 administrators are now seeking data to help determine their next steps.
According to USD 417 Superintendent Tyson Esslinger, the district has developed a community survey, available in both digital and paper format now through May 14th, to help plot the course forward. Esslinger made it clear that the survey is not being conducted with plans for another bond election currently in place, but rather to help decide if that indeed is the course the district wants to pursue.
Once the survey wraps up, Esslinger says the district is hoping to host a community meeting, possibly in late May, before taking the summer off to evaluate both the data and community input. Come August, the district is planning to facilitate additional community meetings and sessions.
Esslinger says while opinions and reasons for voting for or against the bond package may vary, one thing that remains constant is the need for upgrades. He says the current state of district buildings, one of which is over 100 years old, is not conducive to adequate student learning, among other issues.
If the district were to decide to call for another bond election, Esslinger says November may be too soon to get the matter on the ballot and, therefore, may lead to another March election. Nearly 71 percent of district voters cast ballots against the 30-year, nearly $32 million package proposed this year.
The bond was designed to make a range of improvements and new features for Council Grove Elementary, Council Grove Junior/Senior High and Prairie Heights Elementary, but it also meant a 5-mill property tax increase across all land categories.
