School Highlights: Points of Pride:
Bond issue supports the end of busing for desegregation
The bond issue that goes before voters on May 6 will address four key need areas: provide additional classrooms to accommodate growth; build 60 safe room storm shelters, renovate or rebuild fine arts, P.E. and athletic facilities; and support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area to provide equitable facilities.
With the end of forced busing, elementary students in the Assigned Attendance Area now have an opportunity to return to their neighborhood schools if they choose to do so.
“As more kids over time come back to their neighborhood to attend school, we will eventually need more space in those schools,” said Martin Libhart, Chief Operations Officer.
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| Lack of storage space in classrooms at Spaght makes learning materials hard to reach. Photos by Susan Arensman |
The bond plan would provide additions and remodeling for Spaght and Mueller Elementaries to provide more space for students. The plan at Spaght calls for tearing down the school’s wings that were built in 1927 and 1931 and replace them with new classrooms, a new library, a multipurpose room that’s also a safe room and support space.
“We have parts of our building that are old and falling apart,” said Kimberly Sherfield, principal at Spaght. “We have horrible storage in some of our older classrooms. Supplies are piled high and are hard to get to. It’s just not a learning environment that supports our teachers.”
Mueller Elementary would also receive new additions and additional classrooms. One of the items the school is most looking forward to is a new multipurpose room which will better accommodate their student population.
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| At Mueller Elementary, students have to double up during P.E. classes. There are 50 students jumping rope in a small area |
“Because our multipurpose room is so small, we have to have three lunch periods. That ties up the room for 90 minutes, which means we can't have P.E. classes during that time,” said Anne Clemens, principal at Mueller. “To make up the time we have to double up on our P.E. classes and when you have 50 kids in a small area tumbling, playing basketball or doing any other activity, it really becomes a safety issue.”
With the bond plan, a brand-new Isely Traditional Magnet would be built to replace the aging school. The new Isely would be built for 450 students, instead of the 300 students the school is currently designed to hold.
“We would really like to have a pre-k program, special education programs and other opportunities for our students,” said Jane Walker, principal at Isely.
The proposed high school and K-8 school in the northeast quadrant of the city would also help ease space concerns in the area.
More information about the bond issue can be found on the district’s website.
It’s about Our Kids, Our Schools and Our Future!
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What is the bond issue tax impact?
The Facilities Master Plan Community Steering Team and district financial advisors recommended a 20-year finance plan for the $350 million bond issue, and that plan was accepted in the adopted resolution.
Bonds for these facility improvements will be issued in phases over the course of construction. When all bonds have been sold, local property taxes will increase by approximately 3.5 mills. Because of responsible financial management and favorable bond rates, the total cost to taxpayers for bond and interest payments will only be slightly more than what voters approved in 2000, and substantially less than most other public school districts in Sedgwick County.
350 million bond issue—financed over 20 years at 4.75%,
25% state support and a conservative annual assessed valuation growth of 2%
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Value of Home |
Annual Impact |
Monthly Impact |
|
$50,000 |
$20.12 |
$1.68 |
|
$75,000 |
$30.19 |
$2.52 |
|
$100,000 |
$40.25 |
$3.35 |
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State will pay 25% - what does that mean?
Under Kansas law, Wichita taxpayers contribute tax dollars each year to help school districts throughout the state build and remodel their schools. Each year, Wichita tax dollars have been used by districts across the state to renovate and expand facilities.
This bond issue plan will allow Wichitans to benefit, as the state will pay 25 percent of the total cost— $87.5 million plus corresponding interest.
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Register to vote - it's easy!
| Not registered to vote? Download a Voter Registration Form here and return it to the Sedgwick County Election Office. |
It only takes a couple of steps to register to vote. Getting registered to vote is simple, and it is important to exercise your civic rights. Wichitans need to be registered to vote by April 21 to take part in the May 6 election. Fill out the application, sign it and mail it or hand-deliver it to the Election Office.
You should register if you:
- Just moved into Sedgwick County
- Just turned 18 years old or will be 18 before the next election
- Just became a United States citizen
- Have never voted before in Sedgwick County
If you are already registered, you should re-register if you:
- Moved within Sedgwick County
- Changed your name
- Want to change your party affiliation
Advanced voting begins April 16. A separate Advanced Voting registration form is required to be completed.
For important dates regarding the May 6 bond issue election, click here.
Tuesday, May 6 - Don't forget to vote!
Cessna named the Best Place to Work
Four others named finalists
Cessna Elementary was named the Best Place to Work in the school division for 2008. The Wichita Business Journal sponsors the competition. The winners were announced at a banquet on March 20 at the Hyatt Regency.
"I am proud because this award validates the hard work my teachers put forth everyday for our kids," said Chris Wendt, principal at Cessna. "Cessna is a great place to work and I am happy to be part of a dedicated staff that strives for excellence daily."
Other finalists include College Hill Elementary, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet and Lawrence Elementary. The Instructional Technology Department was also named a finalist.
Anderson Elementary won the Best Place to Work honor in 2007.
The recipients were selected from nominations submitted by staff and employee surveys and interviews.