(Leoti, KS)--Western Kansas residents in Wichita County vote in favor of improving the aging schools in Leoti. The $4.5 million bond issue overwhelmingly passed. It was a big victory for the school system.

The district's grade school, R.B. Stewart Elementary, has been called a 'life safety issue by insurance companies' -- having a number of structural concerns and code violations.

"I think the community is really excited about having a new, safer environment for their kids," says the school's principal, Dawn McKinney. This building was built in the 1920's and she says a replacement is long overdue.

The bond issue calls for a new academic dome and physical education dome to be added to the current middle school. It will then be turned into the elementary school -- housing grades Pre-K through 6th.

The high school was built to accommodate a higher enrollment, so it will be turned into a Junior-Senior High. The new configuration is expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months.

"It's something we've been looking forward to for a long time," adds McKinney. "We're just really thrilled that we have passed our bond issue now."