By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
As Hays USD 489 wraps up its bond-funded projects, the district reviewed its 5-year capital outlay plan at its annual retreat on Monday.
The final bond-funded projects are set to be completed this month—renovations at O’Loughlin and Felten elementary schools.
The $143.5 million bond also included renovations and an addition at Roosevelt Elementary School, a new high school and renovation of the former high school into a middle school.
Lincoln and Wilson elementary schools were both closed as schools. Lincoln school has been sold and is being renovated into apartments.
The next step in the district’s reconfiguration will be to close Rockwell Administration Center, renovate the former Wilson elementary into offices and move the administration into the former Wilson building.
The district has budgeted $3.15 million during the next four years for the Wilson renovation.
Ron Wilson, superintendent, said at a prior meeting that he hopes the administration can be moved into the former Wilson building by next fall.
In fiscal years 2029-31, the district budgeted $500,000 each year for a new warehouse to be built adjacent to the former Wilson school. This will replace the current warehouse and shop at Rockwell.
The board has discussed selling the Rockwell property, but it must first receive approval from the Kansas Legislature.
Other expenses related to the recent school reconfigurations to be completed for FY 27 include:
• $50,000 for new signage at Felten• $85,000 for new classroom displays at Felten• $25,000 for final grass seeding at Hays High• $250,000 for further handicap and auxiliary parking at Hays High
• $120,000 for further classroom and bathroom renovations at Hays Middle School• $200,000 for parking lot improvements at Hays Middle School
• $50,000 for new signage at Hays Middle School
• $15,000 for new science room furniture at Hays Middle School
The district has budgeted $100,000 over four years to install energy-efficient windows at Felten. The windows in the additions of the other elementary schools are all equipped with energy-efficient glass, which the district hopes will decrease utility costs.
Some other significant projects for FY27 include $250,000 to replace the air conditioner in the Felten kitchen. The old unit was not handling the moisture correctly and leading to mold issues.
The district has also budgeted $270,000 to replace a portion of the roof at Hays Middle School.
The capital outlay budget also includes debt service and operations. The debt service on the Early Childhood Complex will be paid off in FY29.
The district will continue to pay for Roosevelt HVAC improvements and a combined debt service package that includes HVAC replacements for Wilson and O’Loughlin, as well as turf and lighting at the Hays Middle School fields, according to Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services.
The district replaces buses and technology on a rotating basis, which is accounted for in the capital outlay plan.
Wilson said the capital outlay plan is a living document, which is subject to change.
However, as the district has built a new high school and renovated its other buildings, capital outlay expenditures are expected to decrease in the short term.
The district has budgeted $5.74 million in FY27 and $3.95 million in FY31.
Board member Derek Yarmer said he wants to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
“I am definitely of the mindset that we need to try to reduce spending, and to me, the amount of money on Wilson would be the place to start. … That's not going to actually improve student classrooms,” Yarmer said.
The capital outlay fund is financed through an 8-mill dedicated tax. The funds raised through that mill levy can only be spent on capital expenses.
You can see a draft of the 5-year capital outlay plan below.
