Bond Information

Proposition 1 – Middle School Renovations and Districtwide Improvements

($52.7 million, 25-year bond)

This proposition would fund additions, renovations, and upgrades at Arkansas City Middle School and across the district, including:

Arkansas City Middle School

• New secure main entrance and lobby
• Storm shelter and multipurpose room for safety and student programs
• New maker space, art lab, foods lab, and business lab
• Replacement of outdated vocal and orchestra rooms
• Renovated special education classrooms, including a multi-disabilities classroom with safe adjacent drop-off/pick-up
• Renovated boys' and girls' locker rooms and a training room
• Renovated classrooms, science labs, and administrative/support spaces
• Accessibility updates and other improvements
• Renovated track restrooms
• Replacement of the bridge used for drop-off/pick-up safety

Districtwide Improvements

• HVAC equipment replacement, updated temperature controls, water and sewer line upgrades, and new roofs
• Modern access control system
• Secure controlled entrances at Adams and Roosevelt Elementary Schools
• Technology and data center improvements

Proposition 2 – New Pre-K Center

($14.0 million, 25-year bond)
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This proposition would fund:

• Construction of a new Pre-K attendance center with nine classrooms, a multipurpose room, and a storm shelter
• Related furnishings and equipment
• Frees up classroom space in elementary schools and brings Pre-K staff together for collaboration

The ballot questions for the bond election are as follows:

Proposition No. 1:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 470, Cowley County, Kansas (Arkansas City), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $52,725,000, to pay the costs to (a) acquire, construct, equip and install additions, renovations or improvements to the district middle school building, including an addition for maker space, art lab, foods lab, and business lab; a storm shelter and multipurpose room addition; a new main entrance with secure controlled entry; an addition to replace vocal and orchestra rooms; renovations to special education classrooms, including a multi-disabilities classroom with adjacent drop-off and pick-up; renovations to boys and girls locker rooms; accessibility and other renovations and updates to 7th and 8th grade science and general classrooms; renovations to administration and support areas; replacements, upgrades and improvements to building HVAC equipment, temperature controls, water and sewer lines, roofs, and access control system; bridge replacement for drop-off and pick-up safety; and renovation of track restrooms, including a training room; (b) acquire and equip district data center and IT support improvements; (c) acquire, construct and equip secure controlled entrances to Adams and Roosevelt Elementary Schools; and (d) make all other necessary and related improvements (collectively, “Project No. 1”); all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72-5457 and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

Proposition No. 2:

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall Unified School District No. 470, Cowley County, Kansas (Arkansas City), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $14,040,000, to pay the costs to (a) construct, furnish and equip a new Pre-K attendance center, with nine classrooms; and (b) make all other necessary and related improvements (collectively, “Project No. 2”); all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10-101 et seq., K.S.A. 25-2018(f), K.S.A. 72-5457 and K.S.A. 72-5458 et seq.?

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Arkansas City Middle School has no controlled entrance, no storm shelter, and aging infrastructure. Adams and Roosevelt would also benefit from adding controlled entrances. The bond would provide secure entries, storm shelters, and updated systems such as HVAC, roofs, and plumbing to help keep students and staff safe.

The bond keeps the mill levy at or below recent levels. The district has a strong record of finishing past projects on time and budget, including paying off the last bond 3.5 years early, which saved taxpayers $4 million.

Many of the middle school classrooms are pie-shaped, lack windows, have poor lighting, and do not have adequate power. Fine arts, special education, and elective spaces such as art, business, and food labs are outdated and no longer meet today’s educational needs. Music, fitness, cheer, and wrestling programs also operate in undersized or shared areas. The bond would renovate classrooms and create modern labs, multipurpose rooms, and arts spaces that expand opportunities and better support both academic learning and career pathways.

Proposition 2 would build a new nine-classroom Pre-K center with its own storm shelter and multipurpose space. This center would free up classrooms in every elementary school, improve collaboration among Pre-K staff, and provide a strong foundation for young learners.

Schools are central to our community. They serve students and also bring the community together through events, activities, and as a place of shelter in times of need. Every vote matters, and each ballot helps shape the future of our schools and community.