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Chamber supports school bond

USD 470's proposed $36 million bond issue recently got a shot in the arm from the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce.

At a regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 24, the chamber's board of directors voted to endorse the proposed bond and encouraged chamber members to vote to approve the issue during the February and March mail-in ballot election.

"This bond issue will bring better technology, a better learning environment and better energy efficiency to all of our public schools," said chamber CEO Janet Siebert.

"Our board feels that education is an important factor in our quality of life and our ability to recruit and support local businesses. We encourage our members to get active in passing this bond issue."

The bond election will be held by mail-in ballot from Feb. 14 to March 4.

Voters must be registered to vote by Feb. 4 in order to participate.

Voters will be asked to support or reject a $36 million improvement project, $18 million of which will be paid for by direct state aid at no additional cost to the local taxpayer.

If approved, bond repayment will cost the average home owner approximately $35.29 per year.

Proceeds from the bond will be used to expand and renovate area elementary, middle school and high school classrooms and to construct new sports facilities that will be available for school and community use.

Incoming Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce President Brandon Welch believes that people in Arkansas City will support the bond.

"Our school district consistently performs at the top of the academic stratosphere when compared to other Kansas districts and other states," he said. "It's time we paid attention to the buildings and physical plants that can keep us producing such outstanding students."