Quality education always has been and must continue to be a priority in Fowler Schools.  The Board of Education has made facilities a top priority, carefully studying needs, options and available resources in recent years.  Education has and continues to change dramatically to provide opportunities for all our children to reach their potential.  

 

Fowler High School was constructed in 1952—more than 5 decades ago.  A west wing was added in the mid-1960’s.  USD 225 has identified the need for additional space for today’s all-important technology, our music curriculum, and for physical education and extra-curricular activities.

 

Our schools are the lifeblood of our community and area.  With the input and encouragement of parents, patrons and staff, the Board of Education has approved a resolution placing a bond issue proposal on the November 4 ballot to address these needs for today and the future.  The ballot question requests the authority to issue no more than $1,940,000 in general obligation bonds to finance a needed addition and improvements to Fowler High School.

 

EDUCATION AND FACILITY CHALLENGES

 

Technology

 

§         Computers and technology education were not a part of any school’s curriculum when the high school was built more than 50 years ago or even when the west wing was added in 1966.

§         In today’s modern world, there are arguably no more important tools to give our children than literacy in the areas of computers and technology.

§         Our current computer lab is located in a classroom that is used most of the day for keyboarding and other business classes—making it inaccessible to other classes and students for research and learning.

§         Required computerized state assessment tests create scheduling conflicts.

§         Our district needs to expand the availability of computer access to all our students for enhanced educational opportunities.

§         The current area is also considered inadequately small for our technology needs.

 

Band and Vocal Music Programs

 

§         Music education is also a vital and popular part of a well-rounded curriculum.

§         Currently, upper grade band and vocal music instruction is located upstairs in the balcony area of the high school gym.

§         This area is limited as to size and configuration, has poor acoustics, limited storage and the area is not in ADA compliance for handicap access.

§         The location has noise challenges that conflict with PE classes, as well as Junior High classes.

§         Our Music students deserve an accessible and effective dedicated space of their own.

 

Physical Education

 

§         One single gymnasium for the needs of both the Junior High and High School is no longer adequate.

§         Title IX and the advent of equal opportunities for all students decades ago have greatly increased the need for additional gymnasium and support spaces.

§         One gym facility must accommodate physical education classes, as well as practices and games for a total of 10 team-sports including, volleyball for both Junior and Senior High girls; Junior High boys’ and girls' varsity and b-team basketball; High School boys’ and girls' varsity and b-team basketball.

§         Limited gym space results in students having to attend team practices at inconvenient times including during school hours, as early as 6:00 AM in the morning, or late into the evening, interfering with student study time, meal time, and transportation schedules.

§         The current gym’s very limited seating capacity is inadequate for our needs.

§         Presently only 2 locker rooms (which can be split to accommodate 4 teams) are inadequately small and substandard for our needs.

§         Our students must clear out their lockers to allow visiting teams use.

§         Kansas State High School Activities Association guidelines indicate that our limited gym and locker rooms do not allow our community to host post-season tournaments. 

§         Lack of gym space has additionally resulted in our ability to host only one volleyball match in our community this year—creating greater travel expense for our teams and fans and limiting economic activity in our community.

§         Our current facility lacks an adequate commons area for student use before, in between, and after class periods, as well as during extra-curricular activities.

§         The current concession situation (including seating in the Pre-K classroom) could use improvement.

§         Our community would benefit from a larger gathering area for other group events.

§         In this day and age, our schools and community need an improved storm shelter area.

 

KEEP IMPROVING DISTRICT SCHOOLS

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

 

Ø      Construction of a monolithic dome facility to be connected to the existing high school and existing Industrial Arts Building.

Ø      New facility will provide approximately 13,000 square feet of modern, functional space.

Ø      Modern concrete structure will provide needed additional space at less cost, will be more energy-efficient, and have a longer life span than more traditional construction.

Ø      Facility will provide space for a new competition gym with seating for 600 (approximately 50% more capacity than our current gym).

Ø      New facility will have additional locker rooms for PE and team sports needs.

Ø      Expanded area to serve as a new separate technology/computer center.

Ø      Expanded area to function as a band and vocal music room with enhanced acoustics, expanded storage, and handicap access.

Ø      New improvements include rest rooms, a large commons area, and concessions space for both activity use and community gathering needs.

Ø      Concrete structure of dome and outside walls will also serve as a needed school and community storm shelter capable of withstanding an F4 tornado.

Ø      Cost is estimated at approximately 70% of a metal structure of similar size and approximately 51% of a more traditional brick and mortar structure.

 

 

COST—AN AFFORDABLE INVESTMENT

 

v     Total bond issue and project budget of $1,940,000.

v     Today’s interest rates, estimated at 5%, are near 40-year low levels.

v     Similar bond issues have recently sold at rates below 4.5%.

v     USD 225 has no existing bonded indebtedness.

v     Our last bond issue was in 1966 and was paid off more than 20 years ago.

v     More than 2/3^rds of all other Kansas school districts have approved bonds to improve their schools in recent years.

v     Our mill levy in USD 225 has dropped by 17.6 mills since 1992.

v     Proposed 20-year bonds will require a levy estimated at 9.44 mills.

v     9.44 mills is added taxes on a $50,000 home of $54.28 per year or $4.52 per month—less than the cost of a Value Meal at McDonalds.

v     A 9.44 mill increase is added taxes on 160 acres of dryland farmground of $16.99 per year.

 

 

IT’S AN IMPORTANT DECISION

 

Communities invest in the things they deem important.  In a community and area like ours, there is nothing more important than our children, grandchildren and their education.  Our children make up approximately 25% of our population, but they are 100% of our future.  Children educated in inadequate or crowded areas are at a disadvantage.

The proposed bond issue is not just an educational issue, but also an economic development issue.  New families and businesses nearly always look at schools and educational opportunities in considering relocation.  Communities are known by the schools they keep.  The bond issue is no doubt an investment in our most important asset—our children, but also an investment in our community and its future.  With today’s low interest rates, the cost of improving education in Fowler Schools may never be more affordable. 

 

 

Please be Informed, be Registered, and

Plan to Vote on November 4th!

 

 

Education is simply the soul of a society

as it passes from one generation to another.