Mail-in ballots are going out on Thursday to voters in the Maize School District.
The issue to be decided is an $83.5 million dollar bond proposal which has two propositions. KMUW’s Deborah Shaar reports...
The first question on Maize Schools’ proposed bond is for eight projects that total more than $70 million.
The plan includes an expansion of Maize Middle School, about $14 million in athletic facility upgrades and a new FEMA storm shelter at Maize High School.
Superintendent Doug Powers says Maize High was built in the late 1990s and is the only school in the district without a tornado safe room.
"We took shelter in hallways and interior rooms of the building, but with events like Greensburg and Joplin, we’ve come to better understand that we need a FEMA space within our schools for our staff and our students," Powers says.
The second question for voters is a $12 million natatorium complex for district and community use.
Powers says the bond package is a 1 mill tax increase, which would cost about $23 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home.
If the bond is approved, the state will pay about $42 million, nearly 38 percent of the bond’s principal and interest.
The financing period would be 14 years rather than the traditional 20 years.
The ballots are due to the Sedgwick County Election Office by noon on June 9th.
For information on the Maize bond issue, visit www.usd266.com.
