1. Are our numbers growing?

We experienced a steady drop in numbers from 1999-2012 with a low of 455 students in 2012. Since that time our numbers have help pretty steady of risen to our current count of 512. In 2012 the Middle School was closed and the other two buildings absorbed those kids. Since that time, numbers have risen back up a little and curricular offerings have changed. At MLGS, classes have had up to 24 students in them over the last eight years. Our classrooms are not big enough to accommodate that many students. We have less kids than we had in the past, but if you look at the average number of students from our largest years, there would have been around 60 per grade level. If you multiply that out by the number of grade levels served in each building you will see that the high school would have around 250 students on average in our highest population years. Currently there are 220 students in that same building. Moving an additional 40 students up will make that number 260 which would be very similar to our largest year.

Another thing to think about is that education has changed significantly since the 90s. Special education students had their own room at that time. Now, these students are included in the regular classrooms whenever possible to ensure that they are able to have the same opportunities as their same-aged peers. This change benefitted all students, but it increased the number of students in classes and the amount of space required in each room. Schools also provide significantly more small group instruction now than they did in the past. This instruction is individualized and targeted to meet the needs of all students. This model takes space, MLGS has five rooms designated to provide small group instruction to those that need it throughout the day. These rooms are in use all day as different groups of students rotate through them. MLJSHS has similar needs for those classrooms, but less available space to make it happen.

So, as you look at our numbers, remember:

1. Two buildings now instead of three.
2. Different education experiences require more space than in the past.

LINK TO THE NUMBERS GRAPHIC

2. Why not just move back to the Middle School?

USD 254 cut back to two buildings to reduce the cost of daily expenses. Since the closing, the wellness center and other parties have rented space in the building to minimize the cost to USD 254. MLGS quit using the building for concerts two years ago due to complaints about parking and accessibility for elderly that struggle getting in and out of the building. MLJSHS quit using the gym for game events three years ago due to the floor being too small in comparison to all of the gyms of our opponents.

At this point, the Middle School would require quite a bit of work to get it ready for students. This would cost money that could be spent on improvements at the current buildings. On top of that, staff flexibility would be lost resulting in a less efficient sharing of staff than what we have now. We would gain space with this option, but we would most assuredly lose money and delay needed improvements at both buildings. The current usage of the building is practical and affordable while continuing to allow the district and community flexible space to house a multitude of activities.

3. Can local volunteers make the improvements?

The weight room is really the only space that this would be an option for. Money could be saved by replacing the current weight room with a new one in the same place. The committee felt that with the existing locker room needs, the gym space for classes, practices, and games, adding the weight room to that package made sense.

4. Are these costs high when compared to other building projects?

The cost can be attributed to a few different reasons:

1. The spaces addressed in the propositions are expensive. (Storm Shelters, Music Room, Auditorium, and Gymnasium) General classroom space is the least expensive, but the majority of the project is for specialized purpose.
2. Construction companies that bid on this project will most likely come from out of town. This results in additional cost for moving equipment, lodging, etc.

5. How much will my taxes go up?

Check out the graphic posted on the cost page. If you own land, you will want to check with the County Appraiser to see how your property taxes would be affected.

6. Do we really need a gym, weight room, locker rooms, etc?

The gymnasium space is part of Proposition 1. It was included in the proposition because some of the other pieces of the plan were contingent on the additional gym space at MLJSHS.

The identified concerns of this space include:

• Locker room space. Currently all of the girls (grades 7-12) are crammed into one locker room space. When events are hosted with more than one team, locker rooms have to be shared by teams.
• Weight room replacement needed. The existing weight room is in bad condition. In order to compete with other schools, it is important to have an adequate weight room.
• The gym schedule is full all day. Adding 6th grade would be impossible. Having a gym that could be used for middle school and a gym for high school would free up the schedule.
• Without an auditorium, the gym is unavailable for class over 10 days per year due to music practices and other events in the gym.
• Practice times for sports teams would work much better. During volleyball, MLJHS, MLGS, and the middle school are all being used to have enough practice space. Basketball is even worse. Morning practices are rotated and moved around depending on the game schedule at the gym. Less students and parents would be on the road for morning practices, especially the night after a late ball game.
• NBCRC utilizes the gyms for practices. Currently, they have to wait until after everyone else is done. This means that MLGS students as young as 1st grade are practicing in the evening. There were many times last year when 1st-4th students were practicing basketball until 9:00 at night. Having the MLGS gym available for NBCRC would make a huge difference.
• The high school gym is not large enough to host sub-state events or to host two volleyball games at the same time. The added space would make that possible and would bring more people to our community.

7. Why an auditorium?

We have some amazingly talented musicians, actors, and actresses in this community. An auditorium would enhance the enjoyment of attending concerts and plays for everyone. The auditorium would be available to the community as well, creating a nice space to enjoy concerts, plays, recitals, movies, and speakers. It would provide a place to host activities that all ages would enjoy throughout the year. As the committee evaluated the opportunities for use throughout the year, it was obvious that this space would be highly used and an exciting addition to our town.

Here is our current reality and the issues that go along with it.

The gymnasium at MLJSHS houses all fine arts events offered by both schools. This creates some problems:

1. Acoustically, the gym is awful to view a concert or a play. It is difficult to hear and make out the words during performances.
2. The lighting is poor, and the angles to see are awkward when viewing the stage from the bleachers.
3. The stage is too small and limited in scope to what types of performances can be offered.

There are also issues with scheduling:

1. All concerts and plays must be scheduled around the calendar for the gym.
2. Practices for plays must be scheduled around practices for all of the other indoor sports, they cannot be held concurrently.
3. When events take place at the gym and chairs are set up, PE classes cannot meet in the gym. Same thing with performance practices, any time concert practice occurs, PE classes lose access to the gym. This happens a minimum of 10 days per school year.
4. Sports teams are affected the same way. This makes scheduling activities difficult as practices must me moved to a different time or location while the gym is unavailable.

Other areas that would be positively impacted:

1. The all staff meeting before school year, held in library with adults sitting on the floor due to lack of space, could've been in an auditorium.
2. All school assembly, over an hour in the bleachers, would've been more comfortable and students possibly could hear better in an auditorium.
3. Public meeting to go over bond issue...could be held in an auditorium.
4. PE classes and fine arts wouldn't have to schedule around each other. Many missed days of instruction for both.
5. COMMUNITY, this space could be used often for community events and would provide things for the community to do. examples: Speakers, Plays, Town Meetings, Movies, etc.

8. How will this bond support Apollo Redesign ?

The increased classroom space in both buildings would provide a tremendous amount of flexibility for different types of instruction and classes. The bigger Kindergarten rooms, new PreK rooms, and Multipurpose area are exactly what MLGS needs to support any Redesign efforts. MLJSHS has the same needs, space and flexibility. This proposal will allow for that. Redesign is what happens inside our walls, as long as we have enough space, we can adjust to the needs of our students and community as they change. That is what Apollo Redesign is all about. Making school meaningful to ALL students and helping every student take ownership over his/her learning. We don't need a specific type of space to do that, we need space to be flexible.

9. Who can vote and when is it?

Check out the how to vote page for all information about getting registered to vote. The election will occur on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019.

10. Is consolidation with USD 255 an option, or is it imminent?

Consolidation with USD 255 was discussed with the USD 255 Board of Education a few years ago. The USD 255 Board was adamantly against this option. It has not been seriously discussed since that time. There is no indication that the state will be forcing consolidation on districts.

11. Does the roof need replaced?

In 2015 an inspection was done on the roofs of all USD 254 buildings. Listed below are the results of that inspection:

MLGS:

• 3 sections of the roof
  • Section one ( 3rd and 4th addition)Grade A: recommended replacement in 8-10 years
  • Sections 2 and 3 (majority of roof) Grade B: Recommended replacement in 2023.
  • In section 2 and 3, some maintenance items were identified and fixed by Ray Roofing.

MLJSHS:

• The majority of the roof received a D rating with the exception of the Library and Science labs.
• Library section: Grade A
• High School Science labs: Grade B
• Full replacement recommended for 2017

Of the two roofs, MLJSHS is in more urgent need of attention. However, by the time the construction of this Bond issue is completed, it will be time for the recommended roof replacement at MLGS as well. At the August 2017 Board retreat, the Board identified the roofs to be the next big issue to be addressed. The cost of the replacements is projected to be more than USD 254 has available in the Capital Improvements fund. It was at this meeting that the Board decided to pursue a Bond issue to address this need and the others recommended in Propositions 1 and 2.

12. How has the USD 254 BOE worked to maintain our facilities?

In 2014, the Board of Education set some priorities for facility improvement projects. Over the last five years, USD 254 has completed all of those projects.

1. Upgrade HVAC system at MLJSHS (Completed in 2016)
2. Build a new concession stand closer to the home side of the football field. (Project partially funded with Turner Foundation money)
3. Replace press box at football field. (Construction class project)
4. Build new storage shed at football field. (Construction class project)
5. Replace the track, old track required major maintenance every year to fill cracks. (Project partially funded with grant money)
6. Fix drainage issues on playground at MLGS.
7. Replace Activity Bus (2019)

13. How does school funding work?

USD 254 receives funding each year from state and local money. The money allotted is based on a formula set by the state legislature. School districts are required to publish their budgets each year. The majority of this funding must be spent on expenditures related to instruction: staff, materials, etc. There is a small amount of money set aside each year to go to maintenance of facilities and busses. The state of Kansas puts the decision of enhancing, updating, building facilities up to the local voters.