By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Tuesday’s ballot for patrons of Ellis USD 308 includes an $8.9 million bond issue to finance school improvements.

A $10 million bond issue proposal last year was voted down by the school district patrons, which includes residents in western Ellis and eastern Trego counties.

Although “nobody wants to pay more in taxes, the community needs to understand how much education needs have changed,” said USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young.

“We used to prepare kids to work in factories, to stand still and focus on one mundane task. Today we’re trying to train our kids to be problem-solvers and to think on their feet. That requires a whole different skill set — no sitting in desks in neat rows and listening to the same teacher talk for seven hours,” Young told Eagle.

“It also requires different space needs. Community members can get into the classrooms and see what’s being taught, how much education has changed.”

The list of improvements included in the bond issue is similar to last year’s, according to Young, with 5 priorities agreed upon by USD 388 staff and Board of Education:

1. Pay off existing high interest rate energy loan
2. Combine Junior High with High School for more efficient use of staff and student learning time
3. Address heating and air conditioning needs of Washington Grade School
4. Improve gymnasium space for mandated Physical Education as well as team sports
5. Improve the District Stadium for both track and football facilities

Details of the USD 388 bond proposal are available on the school district’s website.