WELLINGTON, KS – USD 353 Wellington Schools has announced two upcoming community meeting dates to provide patrons with detailed information regarding the March 3, 2026, special bond election. Residents are invited to attend either session to hear a presentation on the district's revised $17.85 million plan, followed by an open Q&A session with district officials.
Meeting Schedule
Both meetings will be held at Wellington Middle School on the following dates:
- Wednesday, February 4 at 6:00 pm
- Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 pm
A Focused Approach to Infrastructure
The upcoming special election follows the narrow defeat of a larger proposal last November. In response to community feedback, the Board of Education has introduced a "scaled-back" plan that represents a 21% reduction in scope from the previous bond.
"The Board of Education listened to the community's feedback," said Superintendent Adam Hatfield. "We have trimmed the scope of work to focus squarely on the most critical needs for life extension of our existing facilities."
Financial Strategy and Tax Impact
A primary goal of the revised $17,850,000 proposal is to minimize the impact on local property owners. District officials have developed a strategy that results in a 64% reduction in the mill levy "ask" compared to the November proposal.
Priority Projects
The bond focuses exclusively on essential maintenance and deferred repairs that cannot be covered by the district's limited Capital Outlay funds. Major projects included in the proposal are:
- Critical Maintenance: Roof replacements at Eisenhower, Kennedy, Lincoln, the Middle School, and High School, along with HVAC system upgrades at multiple sites.
- Facility Envelopes: Window replacements at Eisenhower, Kennedy, Sumner Co. Academy, and the District Office.
- Athletic & ADA Upgrades: Improvements to the District Track Facility, including expanded bleachers, ADA accessibility enhancements, and a new integrated restroom and concession building.
District officials emphasize that addressing these needs now is vital to avoid higher costs caused by inflation and the potential for disruptive emergency repairs in the future.
For those unable to attend the meetings, detailed information and the full bond plan are available for review on the USD 353 website.