USD 259 is proposing a new $370 million dollar bond issue that will be decided by voters in November. It would place the mill levy at 3.7 mills, up from 3.5 mills, which translates into $42.55 for a $100,000 home, up from $40.25.

In addition, the school board says the state of Kansas will help pay for 25% of the bond issue.

Here is a list of improvements that the Wichita district is proposing with this latest bond issue:

• Provide approximately 275 classrooms for growth, overcrowding,
special programs, class size reduction, to support the end of busing
for desegregation, and to replace the remaining 11 portable
classrooms.

• Provide storm shelters at 60 schools in partnership with FEMA
(54 existing schools, 6 new schools), and add FEMA shelter
restrooms at 3 additional schools.

• Build 2 new 800-student comprehensive high schools in
northeast and southeast Wichita.

• Build 2 new 800-student kindergarten - 8th grade schools in
northeast and southeast Wichita.

• Build 2 new 450-student elementary schools in north and south
Wichita.

• Replace 2 elementary schools in west and northeast Wichita.

• Provide technical education upgrades at 7 high schools.

• Add a magnet high school technical education program.

• Upgrade auditoriums at 6 high schools and 11 middle schools.

• Provide new auditoriums at 1 high school, 1 middle school.

• Upgrade and/or expand art and music classrooms at 6 high
schools and 5 middle schools.

• Build 2,000-seat gymnasiums at 5 high schools.

• Provide swimming pools at 6 high schools.

• Provide upgraded football fields with all-weather turf and seating
for 1,000 at 4 high schools.

• Provide all-weather tracks at 3 high schools, 6 middle schools.

• Provide second gyms for physical education and athletic
practice at 7 middle schools and 1 high school.

• Provide 8 tennis courts at 7 high schools.

• Upgrade baseball, softball, and soccer facilities at 7 high schools.

• Add or expand libraries at 12 schools.

• Add and/or upgrade student support spaces in 29 schools.

• Add cafeterias at 9 elementary schools and 1 middle school, and
enlarge cafeterias at 2 middle schools.

• Add multi-purpose rooms to 15 schools.