The Garden City Telegram
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FCEDC mulling stance on bond issue
Published 9/24/2008 in News : Education
By STEPHANIE FARLEY
sfarley@gctelegram.com
The Finney County Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors plans to express its support of the USD 457 bond issue that voters will face on the Nov. 4 ballot.
FCEDC's board met this morning, with board members ultimately agreeing after a presentation by USD 457 Superintendent Rick Atha that the $97.5 million bond referendum goes hand in hand with economic development as far as providing facilities and education that people stay in, as well as move to the community for.
As it stands, USD 457 has stated the bond issue would increase the mill rate by 8.42 mills -- added to the existing bond rate of 1.14 mills, the total would be 9.56 mills and take the district's levy from 36.14 to 45.7 mills on a 25-year bond. The increase would put USD 457 between Hutchinson and Great Bend as far as school district mill levies in the state; below Dodge City, Salina and Hays and above Holcomb and Liberal.
The bond issue will support building a new, larger high school at the proposed location north of Mary Street and east of Campus Drive; remodeling Garfield Elementary School into a centralized early childhood center; remodeling the current high school into a middle school; and remodeling Abe Hubert Middle School to be used as an elementary school.
Atha said he understands residents looking at the project's price tag and seeing it as pricey. But to FCEDC Board member Rich Harp, as well as Doug Keller and other members of the board, that cost is part of recruiting and retaining people in the community.
Harp said education is at the top of the list of wants, needs and concerns when he talks to families in the community, as well as those considering moving to the area. Being able to provide good facilities helps attract people to the community, he said.
FCEDC Chairman Ron Schwartz said the area needs more people to fill available jobs. Schwartz agreed with Harp that providing good education and facilities is a way to gain more people in the community.
"It's a tough time right now," Schwartz said of the economy, adding, though, he feels the district's plan is well thought out and presented.
"I just think it's a nice opportunity," Harp said of the bond issue's timing, with construction costs possibly rising more in the future and interest rates being attractive right now.
Harp said that as community leaders, the board has the responsibility to support key economic development projects in the community. One of FCEDC's focuses is providing primary jobs, which are ones that are not only above the average wage in a community but that also create a skilled position that, in turn, creates a product or service that can be used both in and outside the community. A community's education system plays a role in creating primary jobs, he said.
He said he felt the board needed to step up "and say we're in favor of this project."
The FCEDC's next regular meeting is Oct. 22. Harp said he'd like to see board members state -- whether it's through a resolution of support or other means -- their support sooner than later.
"Nov. 5 you don't get a second chance," he said, adding he'd be willing to have a special meeting to further discuss and take action on the matter.
The Garden City and Finney County commissions have not taken a stance on the issue. Atha has presented the district's plan to the county commission already. He's set to present Thursday to city commissioners.
Atha said that while the bond referendum and bettering facilities may be seen as key to economic development, the district's primary goal and concern "is truly about our kids, our schools and our future."
He said that as far as the USD 457 Board of Education, members were split about half on whether to construct one new high school or to have two high schools in the community -- one member was undecided. A community survey, though, Atha said, showed that one larger high school would have more chance of passing than two high schools.
USD 457 is proposing the bond issue and projects as a way to address, among other issues, overcrowding in the high school. A number of the district's education programs are "hitting the wall" because there's no room to expand, he said.
Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce President Paul Joseph attended this morning's FCEDC meeting. He stated that chamber's board of directors also is looking into publicly stating its support of the USD 457 bond referendum.
For more information on the bond issue, visit www.gckschools.com/bond.
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