It was an informative meeting at Lincoln South Rotary Club on January 3 as we heard about the Lincoln Public School (LPS) 2020 Bond Issue. We heard from Superintendent Dr. Steve Joel, Associate Superintendent Business Affairs Dr. Liz Standish and LPS Board President Lanny Boswell.
Dr. Joel started by talking about Rotary and how important it is for communities and families that we serve. His first experience with Rotary was when he became Superintendent in Beatrice. He was speaking at the Rotary Club meeting and the President asked if he knew of anyone that needed help. He told them a story of a student with a family that was struggling. The Club “passed the hat” and provided some financial support for the family. He was moved by the kindness of the Rotarians and realized how much service we provide. He became a member of the Beatrice Rotary Club and later the Grand Island Rotary Club and is currently an honorary member of Lincoln 14.
Then he moved on to the presentation - the special election on February 11, 2020 asking voters to approve a $290 million bond issue.
This will address building needs throughout the school district as identified in the 10-year Facility and Infrastructure Plan. What are those needs – why a bond issue?
• Increased student population
• Addresses the need for high school capacity
• Addresses facility and capacity needs in existing schools
• Continues the commitment to maintain existing school buildings
• Increased student population
• Addresses the need for high school capacity
• Addresses facility and capacity needs in existing schools
• Continues the commitment to maintain existing school buildings
The analysis and planning for the 2020 bond issue indicates that it can be funded based on the current building and bond levy rate with no planned levy increase in the combined bond and building fund.
Why a special election? With approval, construction can start earlier and during good weather. The earlier schedule will save money. And, we will be able to use the new schools earlier.
• Maximizes the 2020 summer construction season
• Cost savings from earlier construction schedule
• Increasing high school capacity in 2022 and 2023
• Cost savings from earlier construction schedule
• Increasing high school capacity in 2022 and 2023
This special election will be done by mail-in ballot only. The bond issue ballots will be mailed between Jan. 20 and 31, 2020 to all registered voters residing in the Lincoln Public Schools District. Ballots will be mailed first class with a return address from the Lancaster County Election Commissioner.
Voted ballots that are sealed in the “Return Identification Envelope” must be in possession of the Election Commissioner of Lancaster County no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 by US Mail or delivery to the Election Commissioner by hand or in the Drop Box.
Schools and Facilities at all levels will be affected.
High Schools – one thing is to make sure offerings are available at more locations across the system – not at just one school
• Two new High Schools will serve 1,000 students and will be designed to expand to accommodate 2,000 students each
• Land has been purchased to build at S 70th & Saltillo and NW 48th & W Holdrege
• There is a need to modify or enhance facilities to support focus programs – those that currently exist (Arts & Humanities, Bryan Community, The Career Academy, etc.) but also consider new Focus programs; also placing Focus programs in existing schools
• Enhancement and renovation of specialized learning spaces: Art, Family Consumer Science, Industrial Technology, and Science at our six existing high schools
• Additional athletic and activity facilities
• Two new High Schools will serve 1,000 students and will be designed to expand to accommodate 2,000 students each
• Land has been purchased to build at S 70th & Saltillo and NW 48th & W Holdrege
• There is a need to modify or enhance facilities to support focus programs – those that currently exist (Arts & Humanities, Bryan Community, The Career Academy, etc.) but also consider new Focus programs; also placing Focus programs in existing schools
• Enhancement and renovation of specialized learning spaces: Art, Family Consumer Science, Industrial Technology, and Science at our six existing high schools
• Additional athletic and activity facilities
Middle Schools – every middle school will be touched by the projects including:
• Park Middle School Indoor Air Quality and Renovation upgrading windows, finishes, lighting, heating and cooling systems
• Additional instruction space and a physical education space addition at Scott Middle School to address capacity challenges
• They have plans for additional physical education and multi-purpose space at six of the existing Middle Schools
• There will be enhancements to specialized learning spaces at all of the existing middle schools
• Park Middle School Indoor Air Quality and Renovation upgrading windows, finishes, lighting, heating and cooling systems
• Additional instruction space and a physical education space addition at Scott Middle School to address capacity challenges
• They have plans for additional physical education and multi-purpose space at six of the existing Middle Schools
• There will be enhancements to specialized learning spaces at all of the existing middle schools
Elementary Schools
• A new four-section PK-5 school located near 102nd St., south of Holdredge
• Addition at Wysong Elementary School
• Everett Elementary School Indoor Air Quality and Renovation
• Additional space at Arnold Elementary School to serve pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students
• A new four-section PK-5 school located near 102nd St., south of Holdredge
• Addition at Wysong Elementary School
• Everett Elementary School Indoor Air Quality and Renovation
• Additional space at Arnold Elementary School to serve pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students
General Infrastructure needs to be addressed at all schools for items such as:
• Roof Replacement and Recapping
• Interior Lighting Upgrades
• Bleacher Replacement
• Parking Lot Paving and Improvements
• Playground Equipment and Surfacing
• Traffic Flow Improvements
• Site Acquisition
• Roof Replacement and Recapping
• Interior Lighting Upgrades
• Bleacher Replacement
• Parking Lot Paving and Improvements
• Playground Equipment and Surfacing
• Traffic Flow Improvements
• Site Acquisition
Much of the above information is available at https://home.lps.org/2020bond/.