HOISINGTON — The USD 431 School Board met at its regular meeting on Monday and continued the discussion of the future of Lincoln School. The board has been discussing various scenarios, including remodel and building a new school.
Superintendent Bill Lowry was asked to also get an option for building a new school on the property near the Hoisington Activity Center.
He presented information on building a new middle school there.
Because of its location next to the highway, it was not an appropriate location for an elementary school, causing young children  to cross the highway to get to school, he said. Lowry said that 75 percent of elementary students live south of Highway 4, and putting an elementary school there would take the young children out of the neighborhood.
Costs to build a middle school at HAC would be $15 million, a price that would increase the mill levy, he said. Costs for a middle school would require more funding because of the increased need for up-to date technology, labs, and sports  areas. A new high school would be closer to 25 million, he estimated. This would also eliminate RV Parking.
At a meeting with the public last week, three options were presented by an architectural firm and an engineering firm. The options included were remodels of the existing Roosevelt and Lincoln Schools, or a tear down of Lincoln School with a new elementary school on the east side of the Lincoln property. See the Nov. 2 issue of the Great Bend Tribune for a full story  and architectural drawings on the three options.
Lowry said that any option under $10 million dollars could be handled without any increase in the mill levy. The voters would still have to approve the plan.
A representative from the bond firm was present to explain bonding information.
Board Member Maggie Alderdice said that the district should get preliminary architectural drawings from more than one architectural firm.
Lowry said that the firm that did the preliminary drawings did them for free and came highly recommended from five superintendents that did major construction projects. He said they were on site a couple times a month and oversaw the project.
The timing on the project is finite and tied into the availability of refinancing the existing school bonds at a lower rate, Lowry said. The rules to refinance bonds are different than a home mortgage.
 They will also have to get the project on the April 6, 2015 ballot or run a special election at a cost of $8,000 to $15,000. The district is limited by state law on the dates for bond elections.
Lowry said that these opportunities to keep the mill levy stable and make the improvements go away a year or two down the road, and all of the improvements would have to be made with an increase in mill levy.
The project would also have to be presented and approved by the state board of education.
Board Member Dean Stoskopf said that what was important was what was best for kids.
Lowry said the options would take care of the districts anticipated needs for 15-20 years.
The board is planning a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the district office to further discuss the issue.