In the months ahead discussions will focus often — in meetings and over the back fence — on what USD 257 will do to give students better opportunities in the classroom.
One of those casual stabs at commentary led to a suggestion that merits consideration.
The nut: Acquire, through friendly negotiations or eminent domain, the two blocks south of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and adjacent to Jefferson Elementary’s grounds and however much more land that might be required for a single elementary school.
Assuming the district still would have ties to the Bowlus, having an elementary school a hop, skip and a jump away would open a number of ways to have programing to the advantage of the young students. Knowledge is accumulative, and what is tucked away in the gray matter at the start not only enhances that accumulation, but also often piques interests that otherwise might lie dormant for a lifetime.
Scott Stanley said Monday night a general rule for a district of USD 257’s enrollment is to commit 19 acres, give or take, to accommodate all that is necessary, including age-appropriate playgrounds, parking lots, et al.
Squeezing 19 acres out of the center of a heavily populated residential area, such as having the Bowlus and Jefferson Elementary as anchors, would pose problems in land acquisition.
Our proposer had a thought about that. The way around: Go up instead of keeping all of a new school at ground level. All school buildings in the district are multi-story, except McKinley Elementary, which does have a basement.
We don’t have the architectural wherewithal to write whether a second, or third story, generates floor space that is less expensive than having all at ground level, though to our unpracticed eye it would seem likely. However, whatever the difference it wouldn’t be overwhelming.
PUTTING ALL elementary students in the Jefferson neighborhood would massage some concerns that arose with the recent proposal to build a campus at the north edge of town.
As Ray Maloney put it, that would have the school surrounded by the community and assuage concerns, often expressed with the previous proposal, that students would be put at risk by having to walk, bicycle, drive or be driven to a countryside site.
Also, at least philosophically, an elementary thusly constructed would retain a measure of the neighborhood school concept.
No matter where a new school was constructed, unless at the edge of town, traffic access would present problems. Being close to Madison Avenue and two main north-south thoroughfares, Jefferson and Cottonwood streets, could be helpful when designers penciled in access routes.
If a tragic event occurred — reality demands that be considered — public safety, both medical and law enforcement, would be a minute or two away.
THE SECOND component of a project our advocate mentioned was how a new school, no matter where it was raised, could be financed.
The traditional manner is general obligation bonds, retired by a tax levy established by whatever the market requires.
The suggestion was to look at lease-purchase, principal of which could be retired from accumulation of money through the district’s capital outlay fund, or perhaps with transfers from other tax-supported funds. That approach might not be sufficient for a major outlay, but it could reduce the traditional tax burden on patrons.
USD 258 used lease-purchase financing to pay a large portion of cost of the sports complex at the east edge of Humboldt. The same financing has been used by other area governing bodies for things that exceed annual budgetary limits.
REGARDLESS of site, magnitude in terms of land dedicated or structure, it would behoove board members not to put off too long arriving at a proposal they think would find favor.
Education, as budget commitment indicates, is the single most important aspect of daily life for Kansas and Kansans. Same is true of local governing bodies, and a district’s residents.
Our future depends on a well-educated workforce and citizens who are thoughtful and willing to do what is good for all. The same is true today — let’s prove it with a keen proposal and voter support that will give USD 257 a gold star on its forehead.
— Bob Johnson
