| Wichita Public Schools' bond issue a great investment |
| With some recent news stories about the national economy, some may wonder if now is the right time for a bond issue. The answer is YES! The Wichita Public Schools' bond issue is a great investment in our students and the future of our community by addressing critical facility needs and growth in our community. [10/6] |  |
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| Bond issue addresses district growth and smaller class sizes |
| The biggest critical need in the $370 million bond issue is to reduce class size and address overcrowding and growth in key areas of our community. The bond plan will add 6 new schools; provide 275 classrooms to address growth, over-crowding, special programs and class size reduction; reconstruct two inadequate buildings; and renovate or expand critical program space. [9/29] |  |
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| Wichita enrollment is up by more than 400 students |
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The Wichita Public Schools has taken its official headcount of students enrolled for the 2008-2009 school year. The district’s enrollment as is 49,146 students, an increase of 441 students more than last year’s enrollment of 48,705.
[9/25] |
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| Many fine arts facilities cramped, need updating |
| Thousands of students participate in the district's fine arts programs but many of the district’s fine arts facilities have classrooms that are too small and crowded, have inadequate storage and no place to lock up instruments, have art classrooms with poor ventilation and auditoriums that need major renovations or are too small to accommodate even half of the school population. [9/23] |  |
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| BOE interviews superintendent search firms |
| The Wichita Board of Education held a special meeting on September 15 to interview three superintendent search firms. The Board unanimously approved pursuing a contract with Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, Ltd. from Glenview, IL. The Board will vote on the contract at an upcoming meeting. [9/16] |
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| PE facilities - "These are our classrooms" |
| Improving aging PE facilities is one of the critical needs with the $370 million bond issue. With increasing childhood obesity rates, it is important that students have adequate facilities to be physically active. There are also numerous studies show that students who are physically active do better in school. [9/15] |  |
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