By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Architects and financial consultants provided “next step” ideas regarding the proposed November 2015 bond election to fund $100 million in recommended updates to USD 489 buildings at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

The series of district-wide renovations were recommended recently by the Facility Needs Committee after two years of study.

Zach Snethen and Elizabeth Johnson of HTK Architects, Topeka, agreed the most important aspect is communication with the public on why the building improvements are necessary, but cautioned the time for a significant educational and promotional campaign is approximately three months before a ballot issue.

Johnson, HTK director of marketing, suggested the board start identifying community members who would head committees to help with a promotional campaign and scheduling town hall meetings at each school.

“So (the public) can see what you have now, because they may not know,” Johnson said. “They may know their child goes to this school so I know all about this, or someone who doesn’t have kids in the district any longer … there are many times when someone may say, ‘Well that school was brand new when I went there’ — well, that’s been a long time ago. You need to see where we are at and what we need for the future.”

Possible surveys to gauge community reaction, committee organization and strategies to increase voter turnout out leading up to the bond election were also among items discussed.

Dustin Avery, a public finance investment banker with Piper Jaffray, was also at the meeting to discuss financing options of the bond.

Avery said with bond terms ranging from 20, 25 and 30 years, a homeowner of a $150,000 house would pay between $24  to $28 a month.

Click HERE for more on the Facility Needs Committee building recommendations.