Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Bond topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wichita Public Schools outlines three bond packages, includes proposal to build Park City K–8
Summary
Wichita Public Schools presented three bond options for a potential November 2026 referendum, all of which include rebuilding Chisholm Trail as a K–8 to provide Park City its own K–8 facility; the district will hold an engagement event April 22 and expects to finalize a proposal for the Board by May 4.
Wichita Public Schools chief financial officer Addie Loal told the Park City Council on April 14 that the district is preparing three distinct bond proposals for possible inclusion on the November 2026 ballot, each designed to reflect different community priorities.
Loal said the first proposal is a facilities-focused package aimed at addressing significant building deficiencies. The second is a tax-neutral option designed in response to community feedback that prioritized limiting tax increases while still addressing many facility needs. The third proposal emphasizes relief for property-tax–sensitive residents by shifting additional projects into a second ballot question.
“All three proposals include a rebuild of Chisholm Trail as a K–8,” Loal said, adding that “rebuild truly does mean we want a brand new facility to support Park City students.” She said the proposals were developed after more than a year of enrollment and capacity analysis and community engagement following a failed February 2025 bond referendum.
Loal urged Park City residents to attend a district engagement event at Chisholm Trail Elementary on April 22 and to review project details and a feedback survey at wpsbond.org. The district plans to present a final recommendation to the USD 259 Board of Education at its May 4 meeting and could place the question on the November general-election ballot.
Councilmembers expressed strong interest. Councilmember Jim Schrader described the plan as “very interesting” and encouraged residents to review the materials and provide feedback.
The district said the three-proposal approach is intended to give voters choices — including a lower-tax option for those concerned about rising property taxes — while still addressing a mix of renovation and replacement needs across the district.
Next steps: public engagement continues through late April and the district intends to finalize which questions to place before voters at the May 4 school board meeting.
