Liberal, KS

Now: 30 °

Currently: Clear

Hi: 73 ° | Lo: 30 °

Texhoma Official To ReGroup After Bond Failure

KSCB News - February 16, 2012 5:15 am

The voters of Texhoma have spoken, and the Texhoma School District will not get any of the anticipated upgrades proposed in Tuesday’s bond election. The $5.6 million proposal actually passed by a 188-173 margin, but a 60 percent majority was needed to pass, and the initiative only received 52 percent of the vote.
"Disappointed," said Texhoma Superintendent Eric Smith. "The community has spoken and that’s what they decided, so we just have to regroup."
The bond included additions to the existing gymnasium, football stadium and high school, renovations to the high school and middle school, renovations to the auditorium and construction of a new track. The old middle school building would also have been demolished.
The bond broke down like this:
•$1,022,000 for high school interior renovations, new addition, science lab and restrooms. A new entrance will also be added;
•$138,000 for interior remodel of the 5th/6th grade and middle school wing to include renovations to the restroom, a flooring upgrade and a new entrance;
•$802,500 for the gymnasium, to include an expanded lobby, concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, 400 more home seats and renovated visitor seating.
•$916,000 for the football stadium area, including expanding the home stands to 800 seats, a new press box, new concessions and bathrooms;
•$844,500 to replace the running track and build it to competition specifications;
•$466,000 for auditorium upgrades to include new air conditioning, lobby and restroom expansion;
•$107,000 to demolish the old middle school building.
Smith said that it will take some time to figure out what to do next or whether the board will put together another committee and try again.
"We really haven’t decided and probably won’t for awhile," Smith said.
The district faces immediate issues concerning handicap accessibility.
"We’ve got issues that we’re going to be facing with handicap accessibility that we were hoping the bond would take care of, and it’s not going to, now," Smith said. "The school board will just have to figure out what they’re going to do from here on out."
Smith thanked the bond supporters and the committee for the time they put in.
"It’s disappointing that it didn’t pass but the community spoke and now we just have to think about what we’re going to do," Smith said. "Those things happen in small school districts. You’ve just got to find a way around it now."

 

Latest Stories

Southwestern Heights announces the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for 2024.

Ryan Kisner, Principal, has announced Emma Stanfield as valedictorian and Kaylen Langhofer as salutatorian for the...

Liberal child lands in ER after medical equipment, family car stolen in Kansas City

Derek Lytle KSNW The van that was stolen from a Liberal family who was in Kansas...

City Commission Makes Planning and Zoning Board Appointment

The Liberal City Commission met on Tuesday evening and approved Jeremy Benton to the Planning and...

 
KSCB Radio News