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BOE votes to delay bond issue election
The Wichita Board of Education voted to delay the 2008 Bond Issue election to no later than November 4. The BOE will adopt a resolution announcing the new election date at a later meeting.
Sarah Olson and Randy Thon, members of the Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education (CARE), the citizen advocacy group dedicated to passage of the 2008 Bond Issue, requested the meeting with BOE members to discuss CARE's efforts to educate citizens on the bond.
"We believe deeply in the importance of the 2008 Bond Issue to the future of the Wichita school district, and the entire Wichita community," said Olson, CARE Committee Co-Coordinator. "Our mission is to share the merits of this effort, our message is received positively when we have the opportunity to share facts, and we are at a critical stage of the timeline identified for the spring bond election. We don't think there is sufficient time available to adequately inform Wichita voters on the merits of the bond issue."
CARE shared with the Board that they have spoken to many groups about the bond issue and would like more time to educate the public on how the bond issue will impact the schools and the community.
"When we go out to the community and share the facts about the bond issue, people are very supportive when they get the correct information," said Board of Education President Connie Dietz.
"The facilities needs for the district are still there. The needs haven't changed," Dietz said.
The $350 million bond issue would address many critical needs for Wichita and its students:
- Additional classrooms to accommodate growth in key areas of our community and to reduce class sizes
- Build 60 safe room storm shelters
- Support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area to provide equitable facilities
- Renovates or rebuilds aging and unsafe physical education, athletic and fine arts facilities
More information about the bond issue can be found on the district's website.
April 7, 2008
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