By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
Hays USD 489 school board members had their first discussion on the district’s Facility Needs Committee bond issue proposal to upgrade the district’s buildings at Monday’s board of education work session. All members agreed the biggest challenge now is figuring out if any of the $100 million in recommendations can be “pared down,” completed in phases and, most importantly, communicated to the public.
The FNC is a group of 10 community volunteers that has spent the last two years studying each building in the district. The group presented its final recommendations at the Sept. 15 school board meeting.
Superintendent Dean Katt said although a $100 million estimate had been discussed before the FNC was established, the price tag for the committee’s recommendations to fix problems deferred for years such as safety, security and space issues is leading to some sticker shock.
“When you look at it just on the surface and you see $100 million and anybody is going to have the same reaction,” Katt said. “We need to really do a good job of educating the community about what our needs are. Just like the committee — they spent two years doing this and, until they did that, they really didn’t have any idea either.
“It is going to be a long process to get that message out and see what happens.”
Katt said although the date could change, the bond issue will probably not be on the ballot until November 2015.
Board member Josh Waddell agreed the board still has a lot to figure out.
“Paring down (the FNC recommendations) is a realistic option, but if we pare down too much … it will be a tough triage process,” Waddell said, agreeing educating and surveying the community is important.
“There is a sector of the community that is automatically, ‘No, its $100 million,’ but then I think you have this large middle-of-the-road group that is just desperately wanting the school board, the administration and everyone to do the very best in showing the very best with the money coming into our district,” Waddell said.
Board President James Leiker agreed.
“I have yet to meet a person who has completely shot (the bond issue) down, most people just want to know what is for, how much it will cost per day and how it will benefit the district,” he said.
Board member Lance Bickle suggested community tours throughout the district so the public could see first-hand what improvements are needed and asked whether the proposed recommendations could be completed in phases so the community could see for themselves where the money is going.
Superintendent Dean Katt agreed community tours of building is important but will happen “down the road,” adding the next steps are more talks with architects, the bond committee and the community.