Latest news with #NessCitySchools
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ness City bond proposal fails at ballot box
NESS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — Voters have rejected a $24 million bond issue proposed by USD 303 to address longstanding facility challenges and aging infrastructure in Ness City Schools. According to unofficial results shared by the district, the bond measure failed by a wide margin, with 507 voting no and just 179 in favor. In a brief statement, the district thanked those who contributed to the process and said the Board of Education will consider next steps in the coming months. Vehicle found at the bottom of a Kansas lake The proposal sought to fund improvements, including a new gymnasium, locker rooms, and a secure connector between the elementary and high school buildings, which currently sit across the street from one another. It also included plans for a storm shelter, ADA accessibility upgrades, and entrance renovations for improved security. Superintendent Derek Reinhardt previously said the bond was a response to years of deferred maintenance and temporary fixes. A similar effort more than a decade ago stalled amid a local economic downturn. Since then, rising construction costs and aging systems have added urgency to the district's plans. Despite those concerns, voters turned down the measure. The school board is expected to revisit the issue in future meetings. For more information on the bond, click here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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moving forward with a $24 million bond proposal aimed at addressing longstanding facility issues, safety concerns, and outdated infrastructure, following years of temporary fixes and community discussions.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.' Kapaun Mt. Carmel chaplain runs Boston Marathon in prayer for Pope Francis 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
