College football coach Lou Holtz once shared that, “Nothing on this earth is standing still. It’s either growing or it’s dying, no matter if it’s a tree or a human being.” What if we look at this quote and insert Hays as a community? Would we consider ourselves to be in a pattern of growth or decline? One would quickly ask the question, which part of our community are we assessing? Let’s start where Hays could be significantly impacted as soon as April 25 when early voting starts and ends on May 10th, the day for the USD 489 school bond opportunity election.
According to the 2021-2022 Headcount Enrollment Report for Ellis County, there are 4,525 students in Ellis County. 3,213 of those students attend grades kindergarten through 12th grade in USD 489 – Hays Public Schools. That means 71% of K-12 students attend USD 489 in Ellis County.
At The Chamber in Hays, Kansas, the No. 1 question we have been hearing since 2020 has been, “How do we attract and retain a more qualified workforce in Ellis County?” Most chamber member investors have shared that potential workforce regularly cite that the infrastructure of our K-12 schools is among the top reasons they won’t move to Ellis County. They know that our educators and students are high achieving, but the facilities don’t allow for the same opportunities for their children as other communities do.
This spring, registered voters in the USD 489 district boundaries will have the chance to improve our attractiveness to potential workforce by “Checking Yes Twice!” for the USD 489 bond question and half-cent sales tax questions.If a majority of registered voters check yes twice, our community would see significant improvements over the next four to five years:
• USD 489 schools would be “future proofed” to have enough space for projected enrollment increases and address the need for additional space and counteract the crowded state of our schools.
• Career Tech Education programs would have the necessary space to expand needed offerings.
• All schools would have storm shelters, and accessibility for all attendance centers would be vastly improved.
• Aging facilities that are very costly for the district to maintain would transition out of utilization for the district.
• Renovations to all buildings that would remain as attendance centers would realize monthly savings due to improvements with lighting and environmental controls.
Because USD 489 does not receive any at-risk state aid for school bonds, there will be a second question on the ballot in addition to the actual bond opportunity question. The half-cent sales tax question would allow for the district to pay off bonds in a timelier fashion, while taking away additional expenses from property owners in the district. This sales tax would be in effect for ten years and may be renewed if the community would desire that option down the road.
The last significant bond that was passed for USD 489 was in 1978 when the new high school was built. I attended Roosevelt Elementary School shortly after that in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The school would have been just a bit past 20 years in existence back then. I remember the immense feeling of pride I had as a Roadrunner, and the beautiful murals on our walls that had been painted by a local artist made our school so inviting. I also remember how important that space was in shaping my mind, work ethic, focus on education, and how grateful I was for being able to attend such a wonderful school with exceptional teachers. I started to learn how to find my voice while there.
After grade school, I was proud to go to Kennedy Middle School and was keenly aware of the age difference between the two schools. It was not uncommon for the smell of sewage to perfume the halls and classrooms (much like what our students attending Lincoln Elementary School experience when eating breakfast or lunch). However, I had several teachers and coaches who helped me develop strength, character, and a desire to make a difference, nonetheless.
After middle school, I attended Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. I appreciated the ability to intertwine my education with my faith. I was so proud of my parents and the entire community for the way in which they gave Hays the ability to taut a proud public and private school system. One of our town’s greatest assets is the ability to choose an educational path that fits every child’s needs.
Last month, I spoke with students from one of the Hays High classes. I asked them what they felt like when visiting their conference schools to compete against their cohorts. Most of them shared that they would love to know what it feels like to attend a school that automatically emotes an intense sense of pride just by walking into the building.
I will leave you with some parting thoughts to consider when making your decisions on the two ballot questions beginning April 25 and concluding on May 10:
• The last bond passed in USD 489 was in 1992 for repairs and maintenance throughout the district.
• A new high school means more USD 489 students will receive the benefits of a new school at some point in their careers.
• Local businesses will be encouraged to bid on all the projects throughout the bond planning process which will enhance our local economy.
• Our students will be more enticed to stay in Hays for college and to establish their families here in Hays because they know their community is willing to invest in them.
• If we want to keep the quality of life that currently exists in Hays, we must make that financial investment to maintain it.
• The longer we wait to approve a bond to address our current needs, the more costly that investment becomes.
We as a community have kicked the proverbial can down the road for far too long. Can we afford to continue delaying improvements to K-12 school infrastructure? Can we continue to allow our businesses to suffer by not having a qualified workforce to support them? What price are we willing to pay down the road if we don’t vote yes for the USD 489 bond and sales tax questions? Be sure to visit 489bond.com and follow Count Me in for Hays on Facebook to stay in tune with all pertinent details surrounding the bond.
Let’s go back to coach Lou’s wisdom. “Nothing on this earth is standing still. It’s either growing or it’s dying.” Do we choose to grow, or do we choose to die? If not now, then when? If not us, then who? Please join me in checking yes twice for the USD 489 bond opportunity!
✓ Yes for the USD 489 bond opportunity
✓ Yes for the half-cent sales tax
Sarah Wasinger
President/CEO – The Chamber in Hays, Kansas