Lansing Board Continues Planning $52 Million High School, Would Need Voter Approval to Build

Art Credit: KC Education Enterprise | Photo Credit: 123rf stock image

Lansing School District’s Board of Education met Monday, May 14, at 7 p.m.

In addition to routine items on the agenda — such as purchasing bread, milk and pizza and hearing details of this month’s graduation ceremony — board members continued exploring the possibility of building a $52 million high school that would require voter approval.

A representative of Hollis + Miller Architects updated the board on facilities planning progress since last month’s meeting. The report included information obtained from teachers and other staff members as well as design considerations related to student programming.

If the new high school is built, it would have room for up to 1,500 students. According to statistics available from the Kansas State Department of Education, Lansing public schools currently enroll 2,650 students, and attendance has increased by at least 600 over the last decade. High school enrollment is 862 and has grown by at least 80 students during that time period.

Last month, Lansing school board members heard a presentation about the financial implications of taking on $52 million in debt to build a new high school. Bonds are a form of debt for districts similar to mortgages for homeowners. Voters would have to give their approval for the district to build the school, and board members plan to decide in July whether to put this issue on the November ballot. If voters give their approval, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $112 a year in property taxes to cover debt service.

The Board of Education meeting will take place at the District Office; 200 E. Mary; Lansing, KS 66043.
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