MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 will hold the first of four community meetings tonight to provide residents with information about a proposed $36 million bond issue that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Tonight’s meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. and be held at HMS-7. Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson said the meetings are intended to give residents an opportunity to learn what projects are included in the proposal and why district officials believe they are needed.
Johnson said during an interview that the $36 million proposal is a complete restart from the district’s previous bond effort.
“This bond is completely different,” Johnson said. “We started over, listened to the community, took the feedback that came from the surveys.”
Johnson described the new proposal as a “needs-only” bond focused primarily on maintaining and improving existing facilities.
The proposal includes work on aging roofs and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Johnson said replacing an HVAC system at a single district building can cost approximately $500,000.
Safety and security improvements are also included. While most district schools already have secure entrances where visitors must be admitted into the building, Johnson said upgrades are still needed at some locations.
The bond would also address facility differences among USD 308 elementary schools. Three schools would receive additional gym space, allowing physical education classes to continue while other areas are being used to serve breakfast and lunch.
The proposed additions would also be constructed as storm shelters. Johnson said because the elementary schools are located in residential neighborhoods, those facilities could potentially provide shelter for nearby residents during severe weather outside regular school hours.
District officials are presenting the proposal as a no-tax-increase bond. Johnson said USD 308 also lowered its mill levy during the recent budget process and made approximately $500,000 in budget reductions to keep taxes lower for district patrons.
Tonight’s meeting is the first of four planned during October.
A second meeting will be held Oct. 14 at HMS-7. Additional presentations are scheduled Oct. 21 and Oct. 28 at the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy.
“We invite folks out,” Johnson said. “Come out so that we can share with you what’s in this $36 million, which is really some needs, again, that touches all of our schools.”
USD 308 voters will decide the bond issue Nov. 3.