By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

During the regular meeting of the Hays USD 489 Board of Education Monday night, the board pinned down the scope of the work to be pursued by a bond issue in the fall of next year.

After active debate, the lowest of the four options was unanimously voted on by the board at an estimated price of $94 million. That plan would leave Lincoln open as an elementary school and use the Rockwell Administration Center in its current capacity, with only necessary updates being done at the facility. Further updates to the building would be set a few years down the road.

Initially, the board discussed implementing all of the recommendations by the Facility Needs Committee.

“The group did an excellent job,” said Paul Adams, board member. “There is not a lot of fluff.”

Other members quickly echoed the idea that none of the schools should lose any part of the recommendations.

“I’m terrified if we take something out we’ll regret it later,” said Luke Oborny, board member.

The one area the board was willing to cut in order to lower the final price tag was Rockwell.

“I think it’s important we focus on kids,” said Dean Katt, USD 489 superintendent. “It’s so important we get these other things done.”

The board also wants to ensure each building has the ability to keep attendees safe in times of inclement weather — a need amplified by a tornado warning for Ellis County during the board meeting.

A part of the bond issue would ensure each building in the district have a shelter for students, something many of the buildings are currently missing. These rooms would also serve in various capacities, such as a gym or an auditorium.

The board also discussed the reason for such a large measure at this time is the amount of deferred maintenance that has built up over the last three decades.

Nearly one third of the total bond is deferred maintenance, Obony said.

Now that the board has determined a scope for the project, the next step is to determine the best way to fund the bond measure.

The board will consider increasing mills to fund the bond, a sales tax increase or both. Also under consideration is the length of bond repayment, which will dramatically influence the amount of interest that will be assessed on the principal during the duration of the mill levy.