Ness City schools seeks $24M bond for safety upgrades
NESS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — Ness City Schools is moving forward with a $24 million bond proposal aimed at addressing longstanding facility issues, safety concerns, and outdated infrastructure, following years of temporary fixes and community discussions.
The proposal includes the construction of new locker rooms, a gymnasium, and a connector between the district's elementary and high school buildings, which currently sit across the street from each other.
'Currently, our elementary kids walk across the street every day for lunch,' Derek Reinhardt, USD 303 Superintendent, told KSN. 'We have high school kids that work in elementary classes as aides … so they're crossing the street and out in the weather.'
The plan also features a new weight room designed to double as a certified storm shelter, along with ADA upgrades and improvements to school entrances for enhanced security.
The current bond proposal stems from planning that began over a decade ago. Similar efforts in 2013 and 2014 were shelved due to a downturn in the oil-based economy, Reinhardt said. Since then, the district has made limited upgrades with capital outlay funds, but many fixes have been temporary.
'We've done some things, but we've also had to put a bunch of band-aids on things,' Reinhardt said. 'Our aging equipment is quickly reaching a point where a band-aid isn't enough to fix it.'
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A recent study found that the district's aging buildings are structurally sound, prompting a focus on remodeling rather than rebuilding. A community committee reviewed options and recommended a plan, which the school board narrowly approved for a bond election.
Reinhardt said the district is now at a crossroads. The previous proposal from a decade ago would have cost about $14–15 million, but inflation in construction and repair costs means today's scaled-down version is roughly $10 million more expensive.
'There is a lot of deferred maintenance, a lot of band-aids, and we're really at that point where… we're throwing a lot of good money after bad solutions,' he said.
He also highlighted the financial constraints rural districts like Ness City face. A broken heating or cooling system can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
'We had an [air system] go down in the high school this winter, and the cost to get it up and running was $60,000–$70,000,' he said. 'I don't have that money just sitting around.'
The goal of the bond, Reinhardt said, is not only to address critical repairs but to build for the future. 'We want good, solid buildings that are still good to go [in] 50 years,' he said, emphasizing the importance of creating a school system that meets the needs of the local community and encourages families to stay.
The issue will go before voters on May 6.
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