NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. — Pretty Prairie USD 311 Superintendent Ashley Anderson is optimistic about the vote Tuesday for the school district's bond issue.
"It is a total bond of $7.7 million," Anderson said. "At the elementary school, the list is secure entrances, new roof, new windows. For the middle school, it's secure entrances, new roof, new windows, repairing the auditorium ceiling and then remodeling space that we currently have for a new gym space. We would add on about 6300 square feet to complete this gym remodel. That would replace our current competition gym. Then, at the high school, it would be secure entrances, a new roof, new windows, we would do a breezeway to connect the middle school and the high school. We would focus on our ag shop ventilation and electrical upgrades, as well as, our high school science lab would get electrical and ventilation and gas repairs."
The increase to the mill levy is significant.
"It's an 18 mill increase," Anderson said. "On a $50,000, a monthly increase of $8.63, on a $100,000 home, it's a monthly increase of $17.25. Commercial property valued at $100,000, it would be a monthly increase of $37.50. On ag property, we worked with Stifel out of Wichita. They came in and projected an annual increase per one acre of native grass would be 24 cents. The projected annual increase per one acre of dryland farmland is $1.38 and projected annual increase per one acre of irrigated farmland is $3.59."
This is the second try for Pretty Prairie on a bond in less than a year. A $10.4 million bond was defeated last fall. Anderson is hoping they have changed some minds in the interim.
"This past week, our local newspaper came out," Anderson said. "There were, I think, eight letters to the editor in support of the bond issue. I feel like, you know, things are a lot more positive this time around than last time. I don't know if that's enough positivity to pass it, but definitely, more people vocalizing that they want to support the school. That's a good thing."
The September bond was voted down 277-212.
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