Board members have said they believe they, first, must pare down the cost of any bond issue. One proposed bond issue that’s floating around would cost district patrons more than $25 million. At recent meetings, board members have said that’s far too rich for Tonganoxie’s blood, and understandably so.

In addition, board members and facilities committee members must think carefully about whether to sell any of the 80 acres that the school district owns southeast of Pleasant and Washington streets.

Superintendent Richard Erickson and the school board are contemplating the idea of selling — say — half of the land to developers for housing. If the school district were to construct a middle school on the other half of the tract, it would stand to reason that developers would jump to purchase the land. Some estimates have placed the potential price tag for 40 acres at $200,000 — which is double the amount the school district paid for it in 1992.

Erickson has said that if the district were to part with a portion of the 80-acre holding, the proceeds could be used for infastructure improvements required for construction for a new middle school, including roads, sewers and water lines.

And while the idea of selling land to gain money for those improvements is quite attractive — particularly in this difficult economic climate — the district should carefully consider whether this is the right course to take for the future.

Would the district be more savvy to hold onto all of the land for future uses? The Tonganoxie school district is sitting on property along U.S. Highway 24-40 that potentially could be quite valuable some day to commercial developers. If the district ever were to part with the properties where the junior high and high school are now, would it behoove the district to have at least some other vacant land that is well-situated in the city?

However, it is possible that more and more students attending Tonganoxie schools could live outside the city. So perhaps any future construction could take place outside of Tonganoxie to better serve students and their families. And that would mean the portion of the 80 acres not used for a middle school might not be needed for future buildings.

Clearly, district officials have numerous options to consider as they work on bringing a bond issue to voters. And they need direction from the community. District patrons are invited to all regular school board meetings and facilities committee meetings. The school board’s next regular meeting is Feb. 9, and the facilities committee will convene again on Feb. 19.

Please try to attend and express your valuable opinion.