The USD 394 Bond Issue voted and passed 65-35 on Tuesday, November 5. This bond issue focuses on safety and security.
“The focus of the bond is going to be on safety and security,” Superintendent Chuck Lambert said on the At The Hill Podcast. “And there’s no storm shelters, so then we’re also trying to add one here, but to have dual purpose.”
The Bond is also specifically highlighting the high school, which hasn’t had any renovations for many years. The only part of the high school that has been touched for the past couple of years is the main gym, but the FACS room and auditorium are in need of upgrades, as well as the cosmetics of the school.
“A focus here at the high school is really on there hasn’t been much renovation done here… it needs some love and the theater is not in a good shape, so that would be a big priority of it,” said Lambert. “So I’ve had the experience of doing two theaters so I’m kinda excited if we get the chance, what we can do with it. Because you’re all in there and the plays I saw here were amazing so far and the concerts were amazing, why not have a venue that matches your talent.”
There is also a lot of space that isn’t being used year-round that the Bond Issue is turning into practice fields and giving our athletes their own personalized space.
“As for right outside if you’re involved in activities, we’re looking at putting up a soccer practice field that would also be there for band, PE, football, all of that,” Lambert explained. “And then also having a softball field here on the campus that would be turf, and I know for some of the people that are saying ‘oh I’m a senior I’m not going to see any of this’ – there’s a chance if it passes our goal would be to get the soccer field and softball field done by April 1.”
With this new Bond Issue there is something for every school and almost every student at the high school. These changes would be very impactful and important to the students and teachers every day.
“This bond issue – what I like about this one – each school has something for them in it, and especially at the high school there’s something for almost each student,” Lambert said.
