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

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

Junior High Moved

With eight days until school starts, the junior high staff was getting a little antsy to get into their classrooms. Thanks to the assistance of community volunteers,, that became reality this morning as desks, filing cabinets, equipment, textbooks and a library were moved into the junior high “building.” Just as the move was completing, the electricians finished connecting the electricity providing lights and much appreciated air conditioning.

The large modular will house Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Scism, Mrs. Honeyman, Mrs. Schmits, Dr. Beck’s office and a library. The smaller modulars will house Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Renyer, Mrs. Rusche, Mr. Koch, Mrs. Ronnebaum and Mrs. Sperfslage.

Additional photos can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nvteklib/

Moving Day Approaching

DSC01664

Originally uploaded by nvteklib

As the start of school fast approaching so is moving day. The high school’s secondary gym is almost full of boxes, desks, chairs and furniture for Seneca Grade. One of the bays in the auto lab looks like its been invaded by “short people” since it is housing the furniture out of the kindergarten rooms. About a week ago, the surburbans were evicted from the suburban shed to make room for filing cabinets, boxes and furniture. All of this will need moved into the classrooms in the very near future.

Since the preparation of the classroom areas has been slowed, the start of school has been postponed until August 20th.

Junior High Classroom

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Originally uploaded by nvteklib

Second Floor Disappearing

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Originally uploaded by nvteklib

Demolition continues on the 1938 building as the second floor disappears.

Three of the five modular units have been assembled. The board of education will tour the facilities as part of Monday night’s meeting. The tour is open to the public.

Arson Suspect Detained

A Seneca juvenile was detained on Monday on suspicion of arson. According to a press release from Nemaha County Attorney, Brad Lippert, a charge of Juvenile Offender Complaint was filed against the teen. Local law enforcement and fire officials participated in the investigation with the state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

A hearing was held today to determine whether the juvenile would continue to be detained. According to radio reports, the court’s decision was to return the juvenile to his mother’s home and place him under house arrest.

• Juvenile Charged with Arson (CJ Online)
• Student Accused of Starting Fire Will Stay in Lawrence (WIBW) – video
• Seneca Teen Arrested on Arson Charges (49News) – video
• 14-Year-Old Charged in Fire that Destroyed School (Kansas.com)
• Polygraph Tests Play Minimal Role in Criminal Investigations (49News) – video
• 14-Year-Old Charged in Fire that Destroyed School (KWCH – Eyewitness 12)
• Trial date set in arson case (CJ Online)

Asbestos Removal Underway

A new pile of debris appeared on the northeast corner of the grade school after floor tile was removed from the science classroom by B & R Insulation. They began removing asbestos from the 1938 structure on May 14th after receiving the contract for $64,452.