These area school districts have bond issue elections. Here are details
Three school districts around Wichita are asking voters to decide Nov. 4 on millions in proposed bond funding for school repairs, facility upgrades and security improvements.
Mulvane USD 263 school bond proposal
After USD 263 voters narrowly rejected $50 million and a $9 million bond issues in April, they’ll return to the polls Nov. 4 to decide on a modified — and slightly cheaper — proposal.
The new $44.9 million proposal no longer includes a $9 million early childhood education center. Instead, it focuses on work on safety and security issues in existing USD 263 buildings. That includes HVAC system improvements, remodeling the 71-year-old middle school’s community storm shelter and installing intruder locks in classrooms.
If approved, the bond project would increase the district’s mill rate by 10.6 mills, the district’s bond FAQ said. The rate now is 54.723.
The owner of a $100,000 house would pay an additional $10.20 per month, or $122.36 per year, in property tax if the bond issue were to pass, according to the district’s estimate of the bond issue tax effect.
Additional information can be found on the district’s website.
Wellington USD 353 school bond proposal
The approval of a $22.6 million bond for the Wellington School District would fund major repairs to the middle school, new roofing for district schools and the replacement of some HVAC systems and windows. The district called the repair and renovation needs critical to improving the school’s learning environments and increasing efficiency for students and staff.
The $22.6 million, the district said on its bond issue information page, is an intentionally conservative estimate. If the bond passes, a formal bidding process will begin and contractors will submit competitive bids.
“The district will select the lowest responsible bidder for each project in accordance with state law,” the website said.
The district’s mill levy would increase by nearly 6 mills if the bond passes. It now is 50.902 and would increase to 56.533 next year if the bond issue is approved.
According to a district taxpayer impact analysis, the owner of a $150,000 home would pay about $8 more a month in property taxes, or almost $100 a year, for 25 years.
Hutchinson USD 308 school bond proposal
Hutchinson Public Schools USD 308 is asking voters to approve a $109.5 million bond master plan, $82.9 million of which would go toward a new middle school.
Currently, between sixth and ninth grade, Hutchinson students move between four different buildings.
“This fragmented approach disrupts learning and social development at a time when students need the most consistent support,” the district’s bond information website said.
That, the website said, incentivized the need for a “better middle school experience” through a new sixth-eighth grade middle school.
In addition to the new facility, the bond would fund 16 new pre-k rooms, a replacement soccer field and enhancements to six elementary schools.
If the bond issue is approved, Hutchinson’s mill levy would increase by 5.2 mills. The last time district voters approved a bond issue in 2006, the mill levy increased by 8.1 mills. Hutchinson’s current mill levy is 52.418, the lowest since 2008.
The owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $4.98 a month in property taxes over 25 years.
Additional information, including a bond calculator, can be found on the district’s bond information website.
