"As a community, we have a very important choice before us. On November 7th, the voters of USD 308 will have to decide whether or not to vote to make the much needed improvements to our schools. In my opinion, a vote “YES” is a vote for not only the children of the city of Hutchinson, but a vote for the economic viability of Hutchinson and Reno County.

It is true that the true beneficiaries of this bond issue will be our children. The average age of a building in USD 308 is 48 years. This plan will add space for new programs and curriculum, improve the safety and security of our children, and allow USD 308 staff to provide the educational opportunities and programs our children desperately need to compete.

However, our children are not the only beneficiaries of this bond issue. A “YES” vote is also a vote for economic prosperity. A more educated and trained workforce means higher salaries and lower unemployment. A more qualified workforce equates to lower economic assistance and lower crime statistics. In addition, study after study has shown a positive correlation to high quality school districts and increased property values. One recent study by USA Today concluded that a house in a high-quality school district is likely to be worth at least 10% more than a similar house in a lower-rated district.

Furthermore, this bond issue comes at a time when the mill levy is at an historic low rate. Even with the increase in the mill levy, the resultant new mill levy will still be lower than the historic mill levy for the USD 308 district. $78 million is a lot of money. But we are financing it at a time when municipal bond rates are low AND the state will pay for 34% of the costs. If we don’t make improvements now, there is no guarantee that the state will continue to offer this assistance to new projects in coming years. But the need won’t go away!

The time to improve our schools is now. Our children need safer, more up-to-date schools, the local economy needs well-trained, competent employees, and we all need to make the right decision for ourselves and for generations to come."
- David Neal
3308 Thunderbird Dr.
Hutchinson, KS 67502
620-663-8535

"As a parent of 2 students in the Hutchinson Public School system I see first hand the true need for updates and improvements in our facilities. Anytime we have students using a library on a stage, in a gymnasium that at the same time has physical education classes going on, something has to change. Anytime we have main entrances to grade schools that are hidden from the view of any office personnel, something needs to change. Anytime that we have students being hurried in to dark boiler room type facilities to protect them from the Kansas weather, something needs to change. Last and definitely not least Hutchinson High School has become so outdated that we are getting close to short changing student's educations and that has to change. The list goes on and on. All of these things needs to addressed at sometime or another in the very near future and the fact that the mill levy has just dropped and the State is willing to pick up 34 % of the tab makes now the time to address them.

On the a second note, as a businessperson in Hutchinson, I can't think of a better way to draw quality people and businesses to our community. If we fall behind in the educational opportunities we offer our children how can we expect others to want to move to our community to raise their families?

Whether it's a quality education, safety of the children, economic benefits or any other reason, all points lead me to believe it is time to pass this bond issue and bring USD 308 to leading edge of education in our country."
- Cody Heitschmidt
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