NEWTON, Kan. — USD 373 Newton Public Schools will ask voters on March 3, 2026, to approve a $50 million facilities improvement bond aimed at addressing aging infrastructure, safety upgrades and storm shelter needs across the district.
District officials said the proposed bond targets end-of-life roofing and HVAC systems, along with security improvements such as code-compliant storm shelters. Plans call for hardening existing shelters at elementary schools and constructing multiuse spaces at Cooper Early Education Center, Chisholm Middle School and Newton High School that would also serve as storm shelters while meeting other campus needs.
The proposal follows a facilities assessment and nearly yearlong planning process conducted with outside firm RSP and a committee of school and community representatives.
Newton High School would receive the largest share of improvements, including remodeling about 40 percent of interior classroom space. Projects would address removable walls, upgrade science labs and renovate culinary arts kitchens, all original to the 1970s, and include upgrades to the school pool. District officials said adding new culinary and science lab space would allow construction to proceed without disrupting classes and would enable classroom rotation during the school year.
At Chisholm Middle School, plans include upgrades to pod bathrooms and former locker room spaces, which date to the 1950s, in addition to new storm shelter additions.
Cooper Early Education Center would see a new classroom and conference space that doubles as a storm shelter, along with work on the slate roof, which dates to the 1930s.
Nearly all schools would receive HVAC and roof work. All elementary schools would get playground upgrades and, if funding allows, shade structures. Districtwide security upgrades would add interior intruder locks to classroom doors at all district-owned schools.
The bond would require a 4.3 mill increase, which district officials estimate would cost about $4.12 per month for a $100,000 home and $8.24 per month for a $200,000 home.
Facilities assessment documents, architectural renderings and building-by-building cost lists are available at www.usd373.org/bond2026.
The district has scheduled public tours and informational sessions ahead of the vote:
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. to noon, Newton High School
- Tuesday, Jan. 27, 6 to 8 p.m., Chisholm Middle School
- Thursday, Feb. 5, noon to 2 p.m., Newton Rec Center (no tours)
- Friday, Feb. 6, 4 to 5 p.m., Newton Area Senior Center (no tours)
- Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to noon, Newton High School
- Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5 to 7 p.m., Newton High School