By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Bond issues can be difficult for school boards. Four school districts saw their bond proposals fail during last Tuesday's General Election. That was not the case for USD 395 La Crosse. Superintendent Bill Keeley said a lot of work ahead of time paid off with a 566-247 vote approving a $10.975 million bond that will allow the construction of a new elementary school, complete with a gymnasium.
"We felt really good," Keeley said. "There was a lot of support and positive forces working for the bond. We had an advocacy committee of community volunteers, of probably 30-35 people. They were working with our marketing team to get out information to everyone."
The effort included sending out flyers, going door-to-door, posting information at gas stations and grocery stores, and sending out mailers. The district did not so much advocate for a yes or no vote on the matter so much as it informed voters. An original estimate put the project at $22 million but financial experts suggested a project about half that size.
"They just went for our absolute needs - the new elementary school with a gym - none of the wants," said Keeley. "They cut everything out. I think the patrons realized that. Then we combined it with the sales tax to lower the mill levy even more. I think the patrons realized that."
The bond will add a new elementary school to be constructed on the north side of the existing middle and high school. Over 20 years, the district would increase the mill levy 19.75 mills. Voters in the city of La Crosse also approved a one-percent sales tax increase that will drop the district's mill levy increase to 15.74 mills. On a $100,000 home, that amounts to $15.08 a month in additional taxes versus $18.93 without the additional sales tax.
Nearly 73 percent of La Crosse voters said yes to the tax increase. Nearly 70 percent of district voters cast a ballot in favor of the bond. Experts have told Keeley that type of margin is rare on bond issues. He credits the voters for being informed.
READ MORE: USD 395, La Crosse voters to decide bond, tax issues on Nov. 7
"A lot of them toured our elementary school building, which is 97 years old," he said. "They saw the cracked ceilings. They saw the walls caving in. They saw the windows leaking. They saw the general state of the building, which is falling apart slowly. I think getting out the information to everyone in the district and holding informational meetings in all the townships, I think the combination of all of that together, I think everyone was very informed and voted how they felt in their heart."
USD 395 has selected Hutchinson-based Wiens and Company for construction work, Hutchinson-based Landmark Architects for design work, and Wichita's Stifel to handle finances. Groundbreaking is expected to take place shortly after the 2023-24 school year ends in May. The new facility is expected to be completed by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
With Tuesday's election, many districts around the state will regroup and reexamine their bond issues. La Crosse is ready to move forward.
"I've had quite a few area superintendents reach out to, one, congratulate us, and two, they want to know how in the heck we did it," Keeley said. "They want to meet with us and figure out how we got a plan together like we did."