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