Maize to hold meetings on school bond issues

The Maize school district will host two meetings to share information and answer questions about proposed bond issues that voters will decide next month.

The meetings are at 7 p.m. Thursday and May 13 at Maize Middle School, 4600 N. Maize Road. If the larger of the two bond issues is approved, that school would get nearly $19 million worth of additions and renovations.

Maize district residents will vote by mail on two ballot questions. The mail-in ballots are due June 9.

The first ballot question, for $70.7 million, would include an expansion of Maize Middle School, a storm shelter at Maize High, a new transportation facility, an early childhood center, a new career and technical education center and millions’ worth of athletic upgrades, new roofs and technology and infrastructure improvements.

The second question asks voters whether the district should build a $12.8 million pool and natatorium complex.

Board members opted to split the proposal into two ballot questions because they feared opposition to the pool could endanger the rest of the projects.

The proposed bond questions would increase the district’s mill levy by about 1 mill – about $11.50 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Included in the bond are about $6 million for roof repairs and more than $2 million for other improvements, including some track and turf repairs, intended to lessen the burden on the district’s capital outlay budget.

For more information about the bond, go to www.usd266.com/bond. Residents are being encouraged to e-mail specific questions to bond@usd266.com.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Maize to hold meetings on school bond issues."