USD 353 Board Calls Special Election for Scaled Back $17.85 Million Plan
WELLINGTON, KS – The USD 353 Wellington Board of Education voted to move forward with a $17,850,000 bond proposal, setting a special election date for Tuesday, March 3, 2026. This marks the district’s second attempt to pass a significant infrastructure bond after a larger proposal was defeated by voters in November.
The new initiative is a 21% reduction in scope and subsequent bond amount from the previous bond. However, the reduction of the tax burden on local property owners is even more substantial. A significant portion of the bond amount will be repaid through the existing mills being levied in the bond and interest fund (that requires a no mill levy increase). In addition, a portion of the bond will be repaid by the State of Kansas through capital improvement State Aid. As a result, the mill levy “ask” for the portion of the bond repaid by local property taxes is 64% less than in November. District officials stated the reduction was made to focus exclusively on essential maintenance needs at district facilities.
Key Reductions and Financial Strategy
Superintendent Adam Hatfield emphasized that the new plan minimizes the impact on local taxpayers while addressing immediate facility needs.
“The Board of Education listened to the community's feedback following the narrow defeat in November, and we have trimmed the scope of work by 21% to focus squarely on the most critical needs for life extension of our existing facilities,” Hatfield said.
The Superintendent also noted a key financial advantage: the actual cost to local property owners is significantly less than the bond amount due to the district’s growth in assessed valuation and the availability of state aid. For this $17.85 million bond, the district is eligible for 25% state aid on the principal and interest repayment, equating to approximately $347,000 annually over the life of the bond. The only way the district can access these additional state funds is through the passage of a school bond.
The current proposal reflects major cuts in areas considered non-essential by some voters in the previous election:
- Parking Lot Scope: Major projects at the middle school and tennis courts were eliminated. Work at Eisenhower and Kennedy elementary schools was reduced from a complete tear-out to a less expensive milling and two-inch asphalt overlay.
- Facility Work: Eliminated items include miscellaneous rooftop unit replacements, replacement of theater seating, roofing at Washington Elementary and Sumner County Academy, and restrooms at the High School Football Field.
Focus on Critical Infrastructure
The revised bond is centered on maintenance projects that district officials say are necessary to prolong the useful life of the buildings and cannot be covered by existing operating funds.
The scope of work in the revised bond proposal includes:
- HVAC Systems: Replacing aging systems with new rooftop units at Eisenhower and Kennedy and installing two new chillers at the high school.
- Roofing: Roof replacements at Eisenhower, Kennedy, Lincoln, the Middle School, and the High School.
- Window and Envelope Work: Window replacements at Eisenhower, Kennedy, Sumner Co. Academy, and the district office, alongside replacing the cafeteria window curtain wall at the Middle School.
- Athletic Upgrades: Significant improvements at the District Track Facility, including ADA accessibility enhancements, expanded bleachers, and the construction of an integrated building for a restroom, concession stand, and press box. Ticket booths and entrance gates will also be replaced.
- Remodeling: Remodeling the old agriculture shop building at the Middle School.
Cost of Deferred Maintenance
Superintendent Hatfield pointed out that without bond funding, the district has limited resources for capital improvements and maintenance.
“USD 353 generates 8 mills in Capital Outlay funds and associated state aid, which is simply not enough to cover the mounting cost of deferred maintenance." Major equipment purchases are also paid from this same funding source.
Hatfield stressed that delaying essential repairs will only lead to higher costs due to inflation and potentially disruptive emergency repairs.
The community is encouraged to attend upcoming informational meetings and review the detailed bond plan on the USD 353 website before the special election on March 3, 2026.