A great season Ladies, we are so proud of the sportsmanship and excellence you've displayed all season. Thank you for representing our community in such an exemplary manner.
We have received some questions regarding the new school and the middle school and which grades will be in each building. The Middle School currently has fifth through eighth grade. When the New Elementary school is built it will hold Kindergarten through fifth grade. The Middle School will return to sixth through eighth grade.
Thank you USD 464 patrons for your trust and foresight in passing the school bond. It has been an honor to serve on the board of education. We truly have a remarkable community. Dan Hopkins Board Member
getagrip, We will have informational meetings but they have not yet been scheduled. We are in the process of gathering information to get a better picture of what all needs to happen. Particularly regarding the new building, how it will look, and what it will cost and what we will do with the old building if Option C is pursued. We are going to speak to the city next week and we should have a better understanding of what the city expects by our July meeting. I would like to see a facebook page for community feedback and a place to get up to date information as we progress. Information will be posted on the district web page, brochures and information papers will be published and press releases to the paper. I know I will be speaking at the candidate forums at the VFW in July and October regarding this bond and others may wish to join me. We have already had a very positive outpouring of support from many in the community who see this as a more viable plan than the last bond. Some of these community leaders have also expressed a desire to speak at some of the presentations. We will coordinate with the Mirror well in advance to publicize these events. Sincerely, Dan Hopkins
We have meetings with the city in the next couple of weeks to discuss options and gather additonal information regarding their needs and how we can mutually benefit the taxpayers with minimal impact. We should have some information on those aspects at the July meeting.
12345, Option B is cheaper in capital outlay costs but it doesn’t resolve some of the long term problems that have been plaguing our district. If we build an intermediate school then we will have room in the elementary school. But we will be at almost 450-500 students with the projected size of this year’s kindergarten class. The elementary school requires work over the next couple of years to repair and upgrade the plumbing, attain ADA compliance, and conduct roof repairs on an older addition. The projected $700,000 is an estimate right now. Maintenance on the old building is taking a heavy toll on the district’s operating budget. Adding another building to maintain and staff is not an option with the current budget figures. Utility costs; electricity, diesel and natural gas have gone up appreciably over the past three years. We cannot raise our mill levy enough to cover all the additional costs and we are not going to get additional funding from the state to offset the increases with an additional building.
Capital outlay funds are different from general funds and the two cannot be transferred back and forth. If we go with option B we can’t afford to pay staff, utility and maintenance costs. If we go with option C we can make it work. Option A gets us a couple of years and we’re still hemorrhaging money on the old school. Option B gets us some space, but again, we’re looking at having to replace TES down the road and we can’t afford to maintain it. In the past three years our budget has been cut over $2,000,000 from the state and costs have risen. This has forced considerable reductions in our support staff and adjustments to our certified staff (teachers). We did get four buses this year. We still have several more buses that are fast approaching their lifecycle. We’ve implemented fees and cost shares in some programs, leased equipment instead of buying, renegotiated bonds, contracts, and purchases to get through the year. We have nothing else to cut except sports and activities and it has been discussed in several neighboring districts and some have cut middle school activities.
We have maintenance repair and replacement cost issues because the district has done several “additions” to the elementary school and the high school over the past 40-50 years. The patchwork has served us well over that time but it has become problematic now to maintain and forecast repair costs. A wing of the high school is this month getting the roof replaced at considerable cost. We put money aside for a couple of years to afford the work so we could save on interest payments had we borrowed the money. We have another roof repair in a couple years. TES is overcrowded and we can’t afford options A or B. I hope I answered your question or at least gave you insights into why I selected Option C. We’ll have more information at the July meeting. I encourage you to attend.
Thank you for your support. Our next meeting is the July 9th Board meeting, 6:00 P.M. at the THS West Campus Library. We are still gathering information and reviewing material. We will be working closely with city officials, county officials, and citizens to get the best value and best solution to this pressing need. I assure you that the bond is not $30 million, we are being very diligent to protect the interests of our patrons and students. I encourage anyone interested in this issue to attend the board meeting on the 9th of July. It is a priviledge to serve this community and I thank you for the opportunity.
gotongie, You are correct that it isn't ideal in my opinion. Initially it was my selection and another board member’s that we consider option B. We discussed it at the meeting as well but could not find the funds in the budget to select this option. We are continuing to look at option B and researching how we can meet the operating costs.
The impasse I have with option B, building an intermediate school for grades 3-5, is that we do not have room in the budget to hire additional support staff. We looked at having one principle and two assistant principles for the buildings in option B and other staffing configurations. Over the past 3 years we've cut over 2 million from our budget as a result of funding reductions from Topeka. We have reduced energy consumption by over 30% with our partnership with Trane and we still spend a tremendous amount of money on utility usage. Our operating funds will not support an additional building unless we increase class sizes. We are nearing the recommended limit there having to shift teachers sometimes between grades to accommodate their size. The board directed the superintendent to focus on option C; I can assure you he is also relooking the other options as we prepare for the next meeting. To keep the current elementary school operating over the next couple of years will require over 700,000 dollars to fix the restrooms, make the building ADA compliant, and fix some other issues.
If option C is selected and approved I would insist on the district utilizing a “schools within a school concept” to separate the grade levels into smaller learning communities. At present the design is not complete but recommended capabilities we are looking at are the following: a media center, main library, computer labs, large multipurpose room and cafeteria, gymnasium, activity rooms and multiple storm safe areas. Not all physical education is required to occur in the gymnasium and we are planning for that with activity rooms, not as big or expensive as multiple gymnasiums but multipurpose in nature. The cafeteria will be designed with the large student numbers taken into account. We don't have a completed plan, we are working on it and it is subject to change.
Your input and participation as is the entire communities is very important to the success of this project. It takes a village to educate a child. Thank you for your informed observations, they are very helpful and will help to make this project work for the entire community. Coffeyville (USD 454) has the largest elementary school in Kansas at almost 1000 enrollment. Many in their community like it, some do not. We'll have more information to release as we near our next meeting. I assure you I will continue to dialogue with the community here, via email: if you want to discuss it with me face to face I'll be happy to meet you and anyone at one of our school buildings.
Don H., I sympathize with your concerns about the district asking for more money. It is always tough to ask for money and tougher to give it up. I was not on the board during the bond for the middle school. I would have recommended a different location and did give my opinion to members of the board on what I thought was a good plan. Eight (8) years have passed since that election in 2004. From 2004 to 2009 we saw tremendous growth that leveled off in 2010-12. If the new elementary school bond is approved, construction is begun, and the new school occupied, it will have been over ten (10) years since the middle school bond election. It seems like only a couple of years ago but the time has slipped by very quickly. The only other time the board has asked for money in that span was the last bond that was rejected by voters. The polling indicated that voters did not want to spend money on the high school/administration complex and repairing the elementary school. The preponderance of voters mentioned that they would support a new building, but only an elementary school.
When the new middle school bond was passed the district was still paying on the bond from the other middle school building that is now the High School west campus. It is common in growing districts to have more than one open bond. In larger districts they may have several bonds open.
The proposed location of the new elementary school would be on the same tract of land the current middle school sits upon, 80 acres. This would reduce the locations that buses are required to load and unload students. It will consolidate some of our support activities and we’ll be able to share buildings, parking lots and equipment as necessary for major events.
Unfortunately time has crept up on us quietly and like a thief. It has been eight (8) years since the middle school bond election; it will be ten years when the new elementary school is built. Our elementary school is overcrowded, it is not fully ADA compliant, and we have security issues as well. It is time to build a new school that will carry us through another 10 or 15 years.
As we get further into the planning and gather more information we may be able to negotiate lower costs, lower rates and such. The preliminary estimate is for an 18 million dollar bond, we will work hard to try to further reduce that burden. I hope I have provided you with some answers? Regards, Dan Hopkins
THS girls fall to Paola in state opener
A great season Ladies, we are so proud of the sportsmanship and excellence you've displayed all season. Thank you for representing our community in such an exemplary manner.
March 8, 2013 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Voters approve new elementary school
We have received some questions regarding the new school and the middle school and which grades will be in each building. The Middle School currently has fifth through eighth grade. When the New Elementary school is built it will hold Kindergarten through fifth grade. The Middle School will return to sixth through eighth grade.
Thank you USD 464 patrons for your trust and foresight in passing the school bond. It has been an honor to serve on the board of education. We truly have a remarkable community.
Dan Hopkins
Board Member
November 7, 2012 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chieftain football gets by Lansing in opener
Congrats! Great job team. Thanks coaches. Go Chieftains!!
September 1, 2012 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
The Leavenworth County Fair is just around the corner. To what are you most looking forward to regarding this year's fair?
Recommend the Angus Burgers at the VFW food stand, they're awesome. My kids like the fried oreo's the VFW sells.
July 29, 2012 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
getagrip,
We will have informational meetings but they have not yet been scheduled. We are in the process of gathering information to get a better picture of what all needs to happen. Particularly regarding the new building, how it will look, and what it will cost and what we will do with the old building if Option C is pursued. We are going to speak to the city next week and we should have a better understanding of what the city expects by our July meeting. I would like to see a facebook page for community feedback and a place to get up to date information as we progress. Information will be posted on the district web page, brochures and information papers will be published and press releases to the paper. I know I will be speaking at the candidate forums at the VFW in July and October regarding this bond and others may wish to join me. We have already had a very positive outpouring of support from many in the community who see this as a more viable plan than the last bond. Some of these community leaders have also expressed a desire to speak at some of the presentations. We will coordinate with the Mirror well in advance to publicize these events.
Sincerely,
Dan Hopkins
June 21, 2012 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
We have meetings with the city in the next couple of weeks to discuss options and gather additonal information regarding their needs and how we can mutually benefit the taxpayers with minimal impact. We should have some information on those aspects at the July meeting.
June 20, 2012 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
12345,
Option B is cheaper in capital outlay costs but it doesn’t resolve some of the long term problems that have been plaguing our district. If we build an intermediate school then we will have room in the elementary school. But we will be at almost 450-500 students with the projected size of this year’s kindergarten class. The elementary school requires work over the next couple of years to repair and upgrade the plumbing, attain ADA compliance, and conduct roof repairs on an older addition. The projected $700,000 is an estimate right now. Maintenance on the old building is taking a heavy toll on the district’s operating budget. Adding another building to maintain and staff is not an option with the current budget figures. Utility costs; electricity, diesel and natural gas have gone up appreciably over the past three years. We cannot raise our mill levy enough to cover all the additional costs and we are not going to get additional funding from the state to offset the increases with an additional building.
Capital outlay funds are different from general funds and the two cannot be transferred back and forth. If we go with option B we can’t afford to pay staff, utility and maintenance costs. If we go with option C we can make it work. Option A gets us a couple of years and we’re still hemorrhaging money on the old school. Option B gets us some space, but again, we’re looking at having to replace TES down the road and we can’t afford to maintain it. In the past three years our budget has been cut over $2,000,000 from the state and costs have risen. This has forced considerable reductions in our support staff and adjustments to our certified staff (teachers). We did get four buses this year. We still have several more buses that are fast approaching their lifecycle. We’ve implemented fees and cost shares in some programs, leased equipment instead of buying, renegotiated bonds, contracts, and purchases to get through the year. We have nothing else to cut except sports and activities and it has been discussed in several neighboring districts and some have cut middle school activities.
We have maintenance repair and replacement cost issues because the district has done several “additions” to the elementary school and the high school over the past 40-50 years. The patchwork has served us well over that time but it has become problematic now to maintain and forecast repair costs. A wing of the high school is this month getting the roof replaced at considerable cost. We put money aside for a couple of years to afford the work so we could save on interest payments had we borrowed the money. We have another roof repair in a couple years. TES is overcrowded and we can’t afford options A or B. I hope I answered your question or at least gave you insights into why I selected Option C. We’ll have more information at the July meeting. I encourage you to attend.
June 19, 2012 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
Bernie_G,
Thank you for your support. Our next meeting is the July 9th Board meeting, 6:00 P.M. at the THS West Campus Library. We are still gathering information and reviewing material. We will be working closely with city officials, county officials, and citizens to get the best value and best solution to this pressing need. I assure you that the bond is not $30 million, we are being very diligent to protect the interests of our patrons and students. I encourage anyone interested in this issue to attend the board meeting on the 9th of July. It is a priviledge to serve this community and I thank you for the opportunity.
Sincerely,
Dan Hopkins
June 19, 2012 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
gotongie,
You are correct that it isn't ideal in my opinion. Initially it was my selection and another board member’s that we consider option B. We discussed it at the meeting as well but could not find the funds in the budget to select this option. We are continuing to look at option B and researching how we can meet the operating costs.
The impasse I have with option B, building an intermediate school for grades 3-5, is that we do not have room in the budget to hire additional support staff. We looked at having one principle and two assistant principles for the buildings in option B and other staffing configurations. Over the past 3 years we've cut over 2 million from our budget as a result of funding reductions from Topeka. We have reduced energy consumption by over 30% with our partnership with Trane and we still spend a tremendous amount of money on utility usage. Our operating funds will not support an additional building unless we increase class sizes. We are nearing the recommended limit there having to shift teachers sometimes between grades to accommodate their size. The board directed the superintendent to focus on option C; I can assure you he is also relooking the other options as we prepare for the next meeting. To keep the current elementary school operating over the next couple of years will require over 700,000 dollars to fix the restrooms, make the building ADA compliant, and fix some other issues.
If option C is selected and approved I would insist on the district utilizing a “schools within a school concept” to separate the grade levels into smaller learning communities. At present the design is not complete but recommended capabilities we are looking at are the following: a media center, main library, computer labs, large multipurpose room and cafeteria, gymnasium, activity rooms and multiple storm safe areas. Not all physical education is required to occur in the gymnasium and we are planning for that with activity rooms, not as big or expensive as multiple gymnasiums but multipurpose in nature. The cafeteria will be designed with the large student numbers taken into account. We don't have a completed plan, we are working on it and it is subject to change.
Your input and participation as is the entire communities is very important to the success of this project. It takes a village to educate a child. Thank you for your informed observations, they are very helpful and will help to make this project work for the entire community. Coffeyville (USD 454) has the largest elementary school in Kansas at almost 1000 enrollment. Many in their community like it, some do not. We'll have more information to release as we near our next meeting. I assure you I will continue to dialogue with the community here, via email: if you want to discuss it with me face to face I'll be happy to meet you and anyone at one of our school buildings.
Regards,
Dan Hopkins
June 15, 2012 at 11:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USD 464 board looking at bond issue for $30 million elementary school
Don H., I sympathize with your concerns about the district asking for more money. It is always tough to ask for money and tougher to give it up. I was not on the board during the bond for the middle school. I would have recommended a different location and did give my opinion to members of the board on what I thought was a good plan. Eight (8) years have passed since that election in 2004. From 2004 to 2009 we saw tremendous growth that leveled off in 2010-12. If the new elementary school bond is approved, construction is begun, and the new school occupied, it will have been over ten (10) years since the middle school bond election. It seems like only a couple of years ago but the time has slipped by very quickly. The only other time the board has asked for money in that span was the last bond that was rejected by voters. The polling indicated that voters did not want to spend money on the high school/administration complex and repairing the elementary school. The preponderance of voters mentioned that they would support a new building, but only an elementary school.
When the new middle school bond was passed the district was still paying on the bond from the other middle school building that is now the High School west campus. It is common in growing districts to have more than one open bond. In larger districts they may have several bonds open.
The proposed location of the new elementary school would be on the same tract of land the current middle school sits upon, 80 acres. This would reduce the locations that buses are required to load and unload students. It will consolidate some of our support activities and we’ll be able to share buildings, parking lots and equipment as necessary for major events.
Unfortunately time has crept up on us quietly and like a thief. It has been eight (8) years since the middle school bond election; it will be ten years when the new elementary school is built. Our elementary school is overcrowded, it is not fully ADA compliant, and we have security issues as well. It is time to build a new school that will carry us through another 10 or 15 years.
As we get further into the planning and gather more information we may be able to negotiate lower costs, lower rates and such. The preliminary estimate is for an 18 million dollar bond, we will work hard to try to further reduce that burden.
I hope I have provided you with some answers?
Regards,
Dan Hopkins
June 15, 2012 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )