Great Bend Post

HOISINGTON -The Kansas State Board of Education has approved USD 431 to put funding for a new elementary school and structural improvements to a vote this summer.

The new elementary school would replace the existing Lincoln Elementary built in 1926.

Julia Debes, chairwoman of the Cardinal Legacy Committee, says the Hoisington school district has been considering the best options for years now but were encouraged to see the Larned school district pass a similar bond in the spring election.

“It was definitely encouraging to see that voters in Larned supported building a new school in their district and we look forward to citizens in Hoisington doing the same thing as well,” she said.

The bond measure would also improve security and handicap accessibility at all schools in the district and enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety at both the district’s grade schools.

USD 431 Superintendent Bill Lowry says the time to act is now. After July 1, new state financing laws will reduce state aid for bond and interest from 25 percent to 10 percent.

That means the same measure passed after July would cost local taxpayers an additional $3.2 million.

According to Debes, “The plan now is to construct the new school where the playground is now. They would take down the old building after the new one is constructed so school wouldn’t be interrupted at all.”

Ballots for the bond will be mailed to the district’s registered voters on June 1 and must be returned by June 16.