08-03-2025
USD 259 bond fails, supporters plan next steps
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita public schools will not get $450 million to renovate its buildings and build new ones. The school bond issue failed by just over 300 votes. KSN spoke to both sides of the bond campaign about how they're moving forward.
Bond supporters tell KSN that they knew this would be a tough vote. They were hopeful voters would approve it, but that didn't happen. They are now saying that their fight to improve Wichita schools continues.
With the vote failing, the district and its supporters are not only going back to the drawing board but also trying to find a deeper connection and understanding with the voters.
'It's time to step back and kind of look at where we are, allow the district to review what happened here, and then let them figure out next steps,' said Bradley Dyer, Jr., with the Vote Yes campaign.
The bond would have funded new facilities, security upgrades and repairs to existing buildings.
'We're still going to have kids that would be going into these older buildings. So, the problems are unresolved,' he said.
The group that campaigned against the bond says district leaders did not give enough clarity on how it would affect property taxes. It also claims the district mismanaged its finances.
'This wasn't just on taxes, but it was on transparency and accountability. A lot of unanswered questions, a lot of plans that just didn't make sense in the short or the long term,' said Ben Davis with the Vote No campaign.
United Teachers of Wichita says district-wide improvements are desperately needed, but the district has a lot of work ahead.
'The district is going to have to work to overcome that and be open, honest and transparent and listen to the community and make sure that they understand the criticisms and how they can work with the community to address them appropriately,' said Mike Harris, Vice President of United Teachers of Wichita.
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