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Leoti looking into several dome options
Published 2/19/2009 in News : Education
By MONICA SPRINGER
LEOTI — The Wichita County USD 467 Board of Education met Wednesday night in a special meeting to discuss how to replace Stewart Elementary School, parts of which are 84 years old.
This is the district's fourth attempt to replace the structure.
The last bond election in February 2008 asked voters to approve a $5 million bond issue that called for a five-dome complex designed for low-cost construction and energy efficiency. The dome complex was to be for kindergartners through sixth-graders, attached by a covered walkway to the north side of Wichita County Junior High School.
It was defeated by a vote of 381-376.
In January, the school district hosted a series of community meetings.
USD 467 Superintendent Jim Hardy said building a new school is a community-driven process.
"School is important to the health of the community," he said, adding that the district is trying to honor the community's wishes in the current plan to replace the elementary school.
At a meeting two weeks ago, the board decided to again go with a dome structure, which is more energy efficient than a brick building and costs less.
The board's goal is to finalize details of the cost of construction in March, then meet with the community in April and May to make sure the district's plans meet the community's wishes. The matter could go to vote in June.
In December, the district learned its insurance on the school would be canceled on Jan. 1 of this year due to its deteriorating condition. The district is insured on a one-year contract at a higher rate until a new building is built, Hardy said.
The current plans for a new facility include two educational domes to be used for kindergarten through third-graders and a dome with a cafeteria. On Wednesday, the board was undecided whether to have one large dome or two smaller domes to house physical education facilities, including locker rooms, a multi-purpose room for gymnastics and wrestling, a weight room, and a possible fitness center for the community.
Under the current plan, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grades would attend school in the current middle school, and grades seven through 12 would attend classes in the current high school.
The district currently has three separate school buildings and wants to build the domes north of the current junior high building on Indian Street.
The board discussed attaching a PE facility for elementary students to use that would be attached to the other domes on the east side of Indian Road. Then, there could be another dome on the west side of Indian Road, by the high school, that would have a weight room, locker room, a multi-purpose room and a possible fitness center.
The board asked Superintendent Jim Hardy to ask an architect about the cost of building one large dome and two smaller domes for PE facilities.
No decisions were made at the meeting.
Hardy gave the board some figures for the PE facilities. A 2,200-square-foot weight room would cost $198,000; a 4,200-square-foot dome with a weight room and locker room would cost $270,000; a 6,000-square-foot structure with a weight room, locker room and multi-purpose room for gymnastics and wrestling would cost $630,000.
Board members asked Hardy to see if a 10,000-square-foot dome and a 6,000-square-foot dome would be cheaper than one larger dome.
At the meeting, the board also discussed several other funding options. The board agreed to use $500,000 of the district's capital outlay fund for the project.
Board president Kathy Bangerter said the board and Hardy discussed important aspects about replacing the district's current elementary school and have made significant progress.
An architect will visit Wichita County schools March 3 and 4. School board members will meet with the architect then and discuss the prices for the dome or domes with PE facilities.
Found 4 comment(s)!
Bond Issue
Leoti is a great town. And yes we need schools to survive. What we don't need are new buildings and the expense involved. How is enrollment going to increase with new domes? More kids are going to start attending school? People will send their kids to Leoti because of new domes? People will move into Leoti for new schools, never mind the lack of employment opportunities? As with the previous 4 bond elections, this must be defeated. The majority has spoken.
Posted by: Lucy on 2/26/2009
Faith
Leoti is a good town in need of new facilities. The community was torn by poor administration in the past, but is together now with new hope and faith. This bond issue is a good idea, will be well planned, and MUST be passed. This town needs a school to survive. Enrollment numbers are not down, but steady and new schools will maintain or increase these numbers. This bond should be passed.
Posted by: JO on 2/23/2009
Bond Issue
This bond issue has been defeated four (4) times. When is enough,enough? The majority has spoken four (4) times. The enrollment is in a continuous decline. The country is in a recession and state and federal funding is unsure, at best. Use the viable facilities we have in Leoti.
Posted by: Sue on 2/20/2009
What's New
Dighton is cutting back on the school term to save money. Holcomb has a freeze on various activities to make it thru the year. And Leoti? Well, Leoti is building new facilities. Go figure!
Posted by: Lucy on 2/20/2009
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