At a special board meeting Thursday night the USD 257 board members proposed a bond issue for $35 million, including approximately $10 million for renovations to the high school and middle school and a suggested new pre-K through sixth grade facility on a new property. Currently sixth grade is the middle school.
The motion was made by board member Mark Burris and seconded by Don Snavely. The motion passed five to two with Darrel Catron and Doug Dunlap voting against.
For months board members have carefully evaluated the plans of building a new facility in the district. The high school being the oldest building in the district was a top priority for some members but the price of two buildings was a problem.
“We need to live within our means,” school board president Tony Leavitt said.
Scott Stanley, director of operations, and Kirk Horner, an architect with Hollis and Miller, Overland Park, were asked to give rough estimates of what it would take to keep the high school running for a few more years.
“We’re chewing up all our money instead of using it where our students need it,” Stanley said. “I know it’s a huge undertaking, but it’s going to give you the ability to progress in schools.”
A new high school is projected to cost $23.8 million. To build an all new campus on new land comes with a price tag of $60 million which all board members agreed was not doable. Burris said if they weren’t going to construct a new building he wanted to see the problems be fixed at the current facility.
“I want to make sure this old shoe looks new,” Burris said. “What can we get done with the financial stability that this district can handle?”
An estimate of about $10 million for the high school and middle school was given by Horner. The resolution to build a new elementary facility was adopted and George K. Baum and Co., will handle the bond issue. A special election for the bond issue will be June 24.
USD 257 proposes bond issue
