NICKERSON, Kan. — Nothing has been set in stone, but discussions have started again with the Nickerson School Board about bringing a bond issue back to voters.
The discussions are very preliminary, according to Assistant Superintendent Penny Stoss, but talk has happened. A $30 million bond issue failed in November 2019, gathering just 20% of the vote. It also divided the school board and the district as a whole.
Many wanted a smaller version of the bond issue, which was turned down in a split vote of the board. Those in favor of the high bond issue felt that the smaller proposal would only have them coming back again in 10 years, while opponents of the larger number felt it was just too much for the small district to handle.
Such discussion is also being watched by the city of Nickerson as officials work to extend the current $0.01 sales tax used for park and sewer improvements. That would need to come before voters in November. How a bond issue would affect the ability to get the sales tax extended is not known, but City Clerk April Beshears says they are keeping an eye on it.
Stoss could not elaborate on any discussion, but did say the board made finding someone who could lead a bond issue a priority in the search for a new superintendent. That now falls on the shoulders of Curtis Nightingale, who takes the reins of the district July 1.
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