| (Just got this in the mail today. The campaign has started to increase our taxes again.)
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Dear Community Members,
As you may already know, in 2005, the USD 443 Board of Education solicited a comprehensive evaluation
of the school district's existing facilities and future facilities needs. Over 70 parents, business owners,
community leaders., and school officials served on the Community Facilities Task Force and presented its
report to the Board of Education in December of 2005.
Many of the highest priority items have come to fruition or are near completion, including a new location
for The Learning Center, an additional elementary school, and improved traffic flow at Bright Beginnings
Early Childhood Center, Tile Learning Center expanded to nearly twice its size, incorporating the latest
technology, meeting space and improved access for the community at large. Ross Elementary is scheduled
to open in the fail of 2008 at the corner of Ross Boulevard and Sixth Avenue. And, this summer; Bright
Beginnings will get a new parking lot. (Could use a good English teacher here.)
These projects were completed as a result of the assessed needs of the district as part of its facilities plans.
Remarkably, though, each of them was completed within our operating budget. No additional taxes were
solicited to fulfill these critical needs, A combination of gift monies, increased funding from the state, and
prudent budgeting efforts by the Board of Education has made this possible.
Still, another item the Task Force determined to be a challenge for the district is the middle school facilities.
The Board has begun looking at the facilities for our community's seventh and eighth graders, This Board is
very committed to seeking public input.
So, the Board of Education is conducting a survey of the community now through the end of March. The
Board respectfully requests input from patrons regarding a potential middle school bond referendum
Pollsters who are contracted by the Board of Education are calling households at random asking volunteers
to complete a telephone survey. The members of the Board offer their thanks to all those who participate.
If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact the Office of Public information at
(620)227-1623
Very truly yours
Alan R Cunningham
Superintendent of Schools  |