Bond issue proposal presented to school board

Discussions by a community engagement committee on possible facilities improvements culminated with a presentation by representatives from HTK Architects and McCownGordon Construction to the Concordia Unified School District 333 board of education during a three-hour meeting on Monday night.
The community engagement team began its work back in September 2019. The process was put on hold in February 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Re-starting the process on May 5, the community engagement team and the district planning team reached a consensus on a plan to upgrade the facilities in the district that includes renovating the existing high school building that was built in 1929, removing the existing middle school addition and replacing it with a new addition, new kitchen services, new student commons, renovating the 1956 gymnasium and adding three athletic courts for competition.
“This is truly a community driven plan,” Brad Kiehl, director of project development for HTK Architects, said.
The estimated cost of the plan is $48.3 million. That includes $24 million in new additions, $3 million for renovating the existing varsity gymnasium, $3.5 million in site work and $17.8 million for renovating the existing 1929 portion of the building.
‘We think there is $5 million in savings in being able to save that existing structure and not to build new,” Tucker Peddicord, director of pre-construction for McCownGordon, said.
The land purchased by USD 333 across 10th Street to the north of the junior-senior high school would be utilized in the plan.
Also in the facilities option recommended by the community group is renovating the USD 333 Service Center (former Middle School), and moving the fifth and sixth grade students into the building.
The estimated cost of the renovations ranges from $3.8 million for the minimum to $5.3 million. That is not included in the $48.3 million bond project and would be paid for using federal funds received by the district.
Funding for the $48.3 million project would be provided through a 30-year bond proposal that would be placed on the ballot in the November 2 election.
Currently the district would receive 13 percent state aid for the project.
The board of education may also consider requesting that the Concordia city commission  approve placing a 1 percent citywide sales tax to be used for educational purposes to help offset the increase in property taxes.
With the 30-year bond, the 13 percent in state aid and the 1 percent sales tax, property taxes on a home valued at $100,000 would increase less than $11 per month.
Should the board of education decide to move forward with the plan, it would finalize the scope of the project, finalize the bond amount, approve the plan for financing and approve a formal request to the city for the educational sales tax during its July 12 meeting.
The city commission could vote on the sales tax proposal on August 2.
During its meeting on August 9, the school board would vote on a resolution calling for a bond election and authorizing the filing and an application with the State Board of Education.
Kiehl suggested the district host a town hall meeting later in May or in June to provide more information about the proposed plan to the district patrons.
The school board approved partnering with McCownGordon Construction in the construction management at-risk process in April 2019.
McCownGordon is providing professional services and acting as a consultant to the district during the design development and construction phases of a possible bond project.
In July 19, 2019, the board of education approved a contract with HTK Architects to work with McCownGordon on possible facilities improvements.
McCownGordon and HTK Architects began meeting with the district and engaged the community group that included up to 38 people.
The community group was polled on the best option for moving forward on facilities, and 100 percent of those in attendance chose the concept presented to the board on Monday night.
Also during the meeting, Nancy Owen was sworn in by Board Clerk Tracey Holmes to fill the vacant District 2, Position 1 seat on the board.
Tim Beims stepped down from the position, and the board adopted a resolution during its April meeting to fill the vacant seat.
The position that Owen filled is up for election in November.
The board also approved a letter to the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) and Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, confirming that the district authorizes them to represent USD 333 in matters related to the natural gas pricing following Winter Storm Uri.
USD 333 will pay $650 into a trust account held by KASB for legal services provided by Smithyman & Zakoura.
Resignations approved by the board included Darlene Griffiths, middle school principal; Nikki Chacon, junior-senior high school math teacher; Michael Wahlmeier, junior-senior high school math teacher; Emily Lucas, interrelated teacher for USD 108; and Mary Lisa Thoman, .5 FTE certified librarian.
Retirements approved included Patty Mosher and Bruce Clark.
The board approved the hiring of Daniel Hyman as a vocational ag instructor.
Appointing Ronda Gumm as the summer food program representative was approved by the board.
Included in the consent items approved was a proposal to start a junior high school cheer program.
The junior high cheerleaders will only cheer during the junior high boys’ basketball season.