22-02-2025
Ahead of school bond issue, temperatures run hot and cold
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — It was only 54 degrees inside a Minneha Elementary classroom on Friday morning. That could explain why there were so few kids inside — 40 percent of students were kept home by their parents — and why TV cameras were there.
Wichita School District officials allowed KSN inside to tour the school and see the issues with its decaying infrastructure, overworked HVAC systems, and boiler rooms just days away from a vote on a $450 million bond issue.
'I would say the timing is a little bit fortuitous,' said Luke Newman, director of facilities for Wichita Public Schools. 'I think it's an opportunity to share with our public the reality of the challenges we deal with on a day-to-day basis, but it's a lot more pronounced when you deal with a cold snap like this.'
One bond opponent called the timing too convenient and the invitation to tour a chilly classroom political.
'They would rather our kids go to school and have to wear coats so they can manufacture a crisis and sell a political talking point rather than getting things fixed and getting focused on what they need to do,' said Ben Davis.
So far, voter turnout on the issue has been low, according to election officials. But as is typical for school bond issues in Wichita, opinions run high.
Davis, who leads the 'No' campaign, opposes the bond issue he said because the District has not been a good steward of its money and does not need more to address infrastructure issues. He said the District should focus on students' academic outcomes, such as more proficient standardized test scores.
'Our students are underperforming,' Davis said. 'We have major disciplinary issues in these schools and the administration is more focused and trying to sell us a story on these buildings than they are student proficiency.'
Meanwhile, the 'Yes' campaign says the district is not in a dire situation with proficiency scores and new facilities would help students to succeed. Enhanced safety and infrastructure make the educational experience better for students and teachers without raising taxes for residents. Supporters call it a strategic investment.
'Join us in helping to modernize our facilities and to get the equipment, the tools, and the technology that we need to get our students ready for the future, for the current workforce, and for the future workforce,' said Bradley Dyer, Jr. chairman of the 'Yes' for Wichita Kids campaign.
Both sides have been actively campaigning through mailers, texts, canvassing, meetings, and more community outreach.
Mike Harris, vice president of United Teachers of Wichita, said that he would vote yes on the bond issue but can see that the District could have done more to get its message across before today.
'I think it's unfortunate the district maybe hasn't communicated with the community, just the dire straits the district has been in before now, but these aren't new challenges,' Harris said.
Students who stayed home today were given excused absences. The day still counts as a school day.
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