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Supporters point to safety, security of students

By MICK WATTS
Traveler Staff Writer
mick@arkcity.net

Safety and security of students were primary concerns of a citizen committee that helped develop a $35.8 million school facilities improvement plan that Arkansas City residents will have a chance to vote on by mail ballot that must be received by March 4.

That was the message of John Sturd, chairman of the citizen committee for the school bond issue. Sturd gave a presentation Monday night at IXL Elementary School. The event was sponsored by the IXL Parent Teacher Organization.

Committee member Jay Warren said after the meeting that the plan "brings us into the 21st Century.

Warren said he was passionate in his belief that the bond issue "is for the kids."

About 50 citizens attended the meeting and participated in a question-and-answer session after Sturd gave his overview of the projects and how the money will be allocated should the bond issue pass.

Sturd gave a brief history of the committee of citizens that was put together by the Arkansas City Board of Education in 2006 to assess the needs of USD 470.

The committee reported on its findings to the school board in March of 2007. Later, the board proposed that the plan to renovate the district's elementary and secondary schools and build a new athletics complex at the high school be funded through $35,836,790 in general obligation bonds.

After lengthy study, the citizen committee had decided that existing schools should be added onto and improved instead of new schools being built. This presented the most economical of options.

Sturd said that the primary concerns addressed by the committee were safety and security for students and the upgrade of physical structures throughout the school system. Many of the buildings in the school system do not meet FEMA inclement weather standards.

The building of new athletic facilities and a major upgrade in the school district's computer and communications network also were included in the plan. In addition, providing for a year-round kindergarten program was also considered in the committee's plan.

Most school buildings within the system are operating with antiquated heating and air systems, obsolete plumbing, very little technical or electronic security apparatus, and inadequate computer networks, Sturd said.

Sturd added that the construction of safe student drop-off points and paved parking in school lots were among other important considerations.

The proposed new athletic facilities would include as concession areas and new locker rooms, he said.

Although much attention has been given to the proposed construction of a new football stadium at the high school, this project represents a relatively small percent of the bond issue, Sturd said. The expense of constructing the stadium, $5,355,000 is less than 20 percent of the overall outlay for improvements within the system.

The plan that is currently in place would allow for the stadium to be used as a multi-purpose venue, with the high school soccer teams taking advantage of the facility, as well as it providing space for the high school physical education department, and the marching band.

Sturd said that the drive behind the bond issue is a desire to put Ark City's school system on par with other systems in the region by providing an adequate, safe physical environment for all USD 470 students.

An overview of the cost to taxpayers was given, with approximately $35 per taxpayer per year being cited as the expense that would be involved.

Sturd said that the timing is good for the bond issue now because the current low rates of interest make it an opportune time to borrow money. He also explained that the State of Kansas would pay half of the price of the project.

During the question-and-answer session, audience members asked about the length of time necessary to pay off the bond debt.

Sturd said that it is a 20-year bond issue and that over time the amount of the mill levy will go down.

Questions were also asked about the length of time the improvement projects would take. It is estimated that it will take about three years to complete the projects.

There were also several questioners concerned with when the various construction jobs would take place.

School Superintendent Ron Ballard said that there would be staggered scheduling and that some of the projects would take place in the summer months, and others during the school year.

He went on to say that probably four or five sites would be started simultaneously with many projects going on at once.

He stressed that throughout the process "the number one priority is education."

Questions were asked about what contractors would be hired.

Sturd said, "I would assume they'll try to use whoever they can locally."

He noted that there is not a general contractor in Ark City proper that is capable of handling the job and indicated that large construction firms in Wichita would be in line for consideration. He did not advocate bringing in contractors or labor from out of state.

There will be another Bond Issue meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Brown Center. Ark City residents are encouraged to attend. A detailed Power Point slide show will accompany the presentation.

Sharon Ellis, co-chair of the citizen committee gave instructions on application for advance voting and mail in ballot procedures. That presentation can be seen on the Traveler's web site at arkcity.net.

Above: John Sturd talks about the bond proposal while Ivan Espino translates into Spanish for those attending the school bond proposal meeting at IXL Elementary School Monday night.