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USD 231 bond team outlines $100 million no‑mill increase scope and April 1 election timeline
Summary
DLR Group and district staff told the board the finalized bond scope fits within a $100 million package with no mill levy increase and outlined steps toward a special bond election April 1, including state review and publications of notice in February and March.
DLR Group lead Ian Kilpatrick updated the Board of Education on the district’s bond process and campaign, saying the team reached consensus on a bond scope within a $100,000,000 package that would not raise the mill levy.
Kilpatrick said the district has submitted an application to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and published notice of intent. He outlined upcoming administrative steps: a KSDE/State Board of Education meeting on Jan. 15 to approve exceeding the district’s debt limit (as needed for the referendum), a voter-registration deadline March 11, a second publication of election notice on March 6, and the special bond election on April 1.
The presentation listed projects included in the bond scope: a new elementary school south of Pioneer Ridge; a new service center for district facilities; special-education improvements and playground accessibility upgrades; safety and security upgrades at all buildings; renovations at the high school (kitchen and commons); an early-childhood facility conversion of Sunflower Elementary; and an expansion of the Trails Building for programming.
Kilpatrick described two coordinated communications efforts: a fact-based “Get the Facts” campaign produced by the district and a separate vote‑yes promotional effort run by a committee that will advocate for the bond; the district will provide factual materials to campuses, while the vote‑yes committee will conduct advocacy consistent with the district’s published scope. The district also provided postcards and flyers to board members to use in community outreach.
Board members were asked to recommend chair and member names for the vote‑yes committee; the Gardner Chamber of Commerce voted to endorse the bond. District staff said they will continue outreach and campaign work ahead of the April 1 vote.
No formal board vote on the bond scope or campaign plan was recorded at this meeting; the presentation was an informational update and planning discussion.
