Advanced Voting

Registered voters in USD 442 may cast an advance ballot for the USD 442 school bond election.

• Where — County Clerk’s office, Nemaha County Courthouse, Seneca
• When
  • Normal office hours (until 4:30 pm) thru Friday, Nov. 2
  •  Saturday morning (Nov. 3)
  •  Until noon on Monday

Your Vote Is Important!

If we want our children to think success, we need to give them a school that says “success.” Have the courage and the wisdom to raise a definite bar of excellence. Imagine their future!

Vote Yes on November 6th

Our Children, Our Future, Our Responsibility

School Location Facts

USD 442 Bond Issue Election

Below are some of the facts discussed during the public planning meeting held in the spring. The location of the proposed new pre k-8 grade building was arrived at after an open public process and upon a vote by the USD 442 Board of Education at an open meeting.

• Fact — The proposed school south of the existing high school will allow for sharing of staff and save tax dollars over many years.
• Fact — Rebuilding at 709 Nemaha would require displacement of K-5 students from the classrooms currently being used during rebuilding due to construction noise, heavy equipment dangers and safety.
• Fact — If the students were displaced, at least 8 to 10 more modular unites would need to be rented costing additional tax payer dollars. This does not include a place for over 200 K-5 students and staff to eat lunch  and to have physical education.
• Fact — Rebuilding at 709 Nemaha would require a two story building due to space limitations. To meet American Disability Act requirements, significant modifications would need to be made to gain full access to the building. This would be required.
• Fact — Students at 709 Nemaha would still be going to school in basement classrooms and classrooms without windows. The public has said they do not want this for the children since another option is available.
• Fact — Insurance proceeds may not cover the full cost to rebuild at 709 Nemaha since the building would have to be larger with more two story sections than the original building to accommodate all of the education needs.

 Previous generations had the foresight and made the commitment to educate our generation. Let us do the same for children in the future.

Vote YES on November 6th

VOTE FOR KIDS

Vote YES

The Facts

• Fact — The proposed bond is for $6,355,000 or 49% of the cost of the actual projected construction cost.
• Fact — Insurance proceeds and district capital outlay funds will pay for 51% of the actual projected construction costs. This saves taxpayers $6.8 million of the total cost and gives the district a new building at half cost.
• Fact — The State of Kansas will make 28% of the principal and interest payment on the bond proceeds under a special building program.
• Fact — In 1992 the district mill levy was 39.98. It has been dropped to 30.325 this year or a decrease of 24%. With 9.84 mills to pay for the building the mill levy will be 40.17 mills, only .19 of a mill more than in 1992.
• Fact — The school district since 1992 has spent over $6 million to update district facilities without a bond issue or any public debt. All while the mill levy decreased.
• Fact — The construction figures are an estimate at this point. With the passing of the bond election, specific designs will be created and the project will go through a bid process.
• Fact — A school bid process is governed by K.S.A. 72-6760 and 72-6760b. This statue requires competitive bids and legal contracts awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
• Fact — The square footage of the proposed school is approximately 60,500 square feet. The previous school was 54,039 square feet, not including a planned 1,900 square foot modular.
• Fact — Every school is different. It is very difficult to compare construction costs to another school because needs differ.
• Fact — The insurance company will pay for the modular units for two years. If the bond is defeated, the school district will need to begin paying $126,000 per year starting in 2009. This money will come out of district funds that should be used for educating kids.
• Fact — The project is not lacking or costing more due to the timeline of the designs.
• Fact — HTK architects have extensive experience in the design process. In 49 years they have designed hundreds of schools across Kansas within or under budget.

News Articles:

• Seneca School in Voter’s Hands (CJ Online)
• Nearing the Vote (KSNT) Video
• Seneca Grade School / Nemaha Valley Junior High on YouTube