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Fiscal Accountability For The Wichita Public Schools 2000 Bond Issue
On April 4, 2000, Wichita voters set a state-wide example for support of public education with the passage of a $284.5 million bond issue referendum. Throughout the planning and construction process, community oversight, Board of Education involvement, and careful staff planning and execution proved that Wichita's public school district is fiscally responsible with the funds intrusted to it by Wichita taxpayers.
Research completed in February 2008 by Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research also confirmed that investments in the Wichita community through the 2000 bond issue had a significant positive impact on our local economy (9,000 jobs, payroll impact of $275 million). Through the same careful oversight practices, the Wichita Public Schools will be equally as accountable with funds from the $370 million bond issue that is on the ballot for November 4, 2008.
Fiscal
accountability for the 2000 bond issue:
- $284.5 million bond issue finished on time and on budget!
- All architectural firms, general contractors and sub-contractors employed for bond issue construction were from Wichita or south central Kansas
- Low interest rates for bonds financed during the 2000 bond issue will save Wichita taxpayers approximately $49 million
- Refinanced bonds will save taxpayers an additional $3.3 million
- In addition to bond funding, additional dollars were invested to support construction projects: $41.6 million from district capital funds; more than $5 million from FEMA to support construction of safe rooms and $31.4 million in facility weighting dollars from the state of Kansas.
Quick facts on the 2000 bond issue:
- 92 school projects received improvements as part of the 5-year construction plan.
- 6 reconstructed school facilities: Earhart, Horace Mann, Allen, Enterprise, Linwood and Washington
- ALL district schools are now air conditioned; 67 schools now have air conditioning that didn’t when the bond referendum was passed in April 2000.
- School improvements include:
o 1.2 million square feet of newly-constructed space
o 6 million square feet of existing space fully or partially renovated
o 30+ “safe rooms” constructed in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Association to serve dual purpose as both student space (gymnasiums, classrooms) and shelter from severe weather
o Two brand new schools added to the district in northeast Wichita: Stucky Middle School, constructed on land donated by Koch Industries, and Jackson Elementary School
o 500+ new classrooms replaced temporary, inadequate spaces
o 150+ new science labs in every middle and high school
o 20 new libraries, 13 more renovated
o 218 portable classroom buildings demolished
Wichita Public Schools 2008 Bond Issue
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