The voters of USD 270 passed a $3.46 million dollar bond issue on March 14 that will allow the district to make major improvements to several of the district buildings.  With only 28% of registered voters going to the polls, the outcome was 349 in favor, and 149 against.  All eight of the voting precincts voted in favor of the bond.

According to Superintendent Dr. Harry Austin, the work could begin as early as this summer.

For more information about the work to be done, read the article below.

Jan. 31, 2006  By JUDY SHERARD, Hays Daily News

PLAINVILLE — USD 270 voters will go to the polls March 14 to decide the fate of a $3.46 million school bond issue. Board of education members approved a resolution for the bond issue at a special meeting earlier this month. Superintendent Harry Austin said the vote was 6-0 with one member, John Crawford, absent. Grades K-12 enrollment is 387, which reflects an increase of 15 students from last year, Austin said.

If voters approve, the money will be used for several projects. "Mostly what I would call heavy maintenance," Austin said. If the bond issue passes, seating, dressing rooms and a concession area will be added to the district's second gym, located across the street from Plainville High School, making it a "premier facility with seating for about 1,500," he said. The addition on the west side of the building would allow the district to host a number of events, Austin said. The addition also would include multi-purpose rooms. One use would be holding wrestling practice there rather than in the fieldhouse because it's closer to the school, he said.

When the district isn't using the facilities, the recreation commission could use them, or they could be rented for community functions. Other funds will be used to automate the library including the card catalog and computerizing the materials check-out system. "Now we're doing it by hand. We need to come into the 20th century, and maybe next year we can come into the 21st century," Austin said.

Proposed projects at Plainville High School include installing energy-efficient windows and doors, reroofing an area, refinishing the gym floor and replacing the light panel for the stage. Austin said the current light panel is so outdated, "we can't get parts for it any more." Improvements to heating and air conditioning at both the high school and elementary school also are on the list. "We believe the projects are worthwhile," Austin said. "If we don't do this, the buildings will continue to go down hill, and (repairs will) prove much more costly."

Board members have been approached by patrons about the improvements. Discussions with others have received positive responses, he said. Austin said he and board members plan to talk to as many organizations as possible, and will hold public meetings to discuss the bond issue. "I want the public to be well educated. We don't want any surprises," Austin said. "We're moving fast, but we want people to ask questions."

If the bond issue passes the district wants to begin work this summer. "The sooner it's passed, the sooner we can get to work," he said. Because the bond issue requires a special election, the school district will be responsible for the cost, said Rooks County Clerk Clara Strutt. Voters from all precincts will go at the Plainville Township Hall to vote, she said.

Reporter Judy Sherard can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 138, or by e-mail at jsherard@dailynews.net.