BOE Hears About Possible Bond Issue Improvements

Board of Education members tonight heard the latest facilities committee report that calls for the closing of three elementary schools and the construction of a new elementary school next to Jardine Middle School.  Bishop, Avondale West and Shaner Elementary Schools would close with students from those schools attending the new elementary school.

The facilities committee report also calls for:

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b     Bishop Elementary to become a new district-wide professional development center

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       Capital City Schools to relocate to the nearby Boisen Building

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        Capital City Schools to become the home of the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC)

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         Shaner Elementary to become a new Pre-K facility

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          Modular classrooms would be removed from McEachron, McCarter and Sheldon Child Development Center

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           FEMA approved shelters would be built at Quincy, Stout, Shaner, McCarter, McEachron Elementary Schools and Hope Street Academy

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                    Air condition would be added to gymnasiums at all high schools and middle schools (except Robinson Middle School)

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          School security improvements would be made throughout the school district

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                    Technology enhancements

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                      Renovated science labs at high schools

The total cost of the recommendations is $142,632,159.  Board members will decide in January whether to go forward with a proposed bond issue next spring.  If approved, the district’s mill levy would not increase.