District wants input on facilities, tech needs

In order to determine whether the USD 234 school district will pursue a bond issue later this year, members of the community are asked to complete a facility and technology needs survey.

The survey, which is available online until April 17, also ties in with the recently completed district-wide facilities assessment.

"To me, it's terribly important that people take the time to be open and honest and share their thoughts and ideas," USD 234 Superintendent Diane Gross said. "Because all of that information is going to be compiled to help us not only determine exactly what those needs are, but to help us prioritize."

The survey can be completed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FortScott_CommunitySurvey.

Gross said information from the survey will assist the district with developing a long-range plan, as opposed to settling on quick fixes to address current needs.

"This will help us plan, to make sure we're in a good position to address needs as they crop up down the road. And long-term, we're talking 20 to 30 years," she said.

During a special board meeting in March, Hollis and Miller Architects of Overland Park was unanimously approved for community engagement and bond planning discussions. Prior to the special board meeting, Gross said the completion of the facilities assessment report highlighted needs in specific areas of the district. Some are urgent, according to Gross.

The estimated cost to fix all civil and mechanical issues is between $5.5 and $6 million. Adding to the overall price tag, district technology needs are estimated at around $2 million.

"The past couple of meetings, we've been talking about a lot of needs that we have in the district," Gross told The Tribune after the special board meeting in March. "We hired an architectural engineering firm to come in and do a facility needs assessment. And we know with any of the reports that come back, that there's going to be a huge cost involved."

Gross said the survey is a result of further discussion and involvement within the community, as well as USD 234 staff.

"We want creative ideas of how we best proceed in addressing those needs," Gross said. "Not that we've decided to do a bond issue, but this is going to give us more information about whether or not it's conceivable that we should do that. And whether or not the community would support that, knowing the kinds of things that we would address with a bond issue. But again, this is just informing us as to whether or not we should proceed down that path."

Previously, Gross has said infrastructure issues are a primary concern, particularly relating to Fort School High School, Eugene Ware Elementary School, and Winfield Scott Elementary School.

"When I say infrastructure issues I'm talking about heating and cooling systems, plumbing issues. And these were the immediate needs that were identified by the facilities assessment," Gross said in March.

Gross also said last month that the district does not currently have the ability to set aside a large amount of funds in order to fix all the problems outlined in the facilities assessment report.

Community Forum,

April 24

The district will host a community forum at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 24 inside Fort Scott High School auditorium. The forum will be a follow-up to the survey.

"This event will provide an opportunity to hear about the needs assessment, the survey results, and the information gathering sessions held thus far," Gross said. "Additionally, the community forum will present an opportunity to continue the process of sharing ideas and helping to prioritize needs."