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The Maize school district prepares to ask the community about the needs of its schools, and a possible bond issue.
Over the past year-and-a-half the Maize district had planning groups look at possible improvements. The final results include $74.9 million worth of improvements and expansions in five areas.
Some of the biggest possible improvements come at the middle school level. The planning committee proposed building a new middle school and renovating the current Maize Middle School at 45th and Maize.
"We completed Maize South Middle School in the 2007 bond, but at the middle school level we're really getting close to being at capacity at those two schools," said district spokesperson Karen McDermott.
The committee also suggested looking at a permanent space for an early childhood center, which is currently sharing space in an elementary school. There could also be improvements to physical education and athletic facilities, mostly in the form of improvements to outdoor facilities.
A FEMA certified storm shelter could be added to Maize High School, which is currently the only school in the district without a FEMA shelter. The district may also consider building a new transportation center. The final suggestions would add classroom space for career and technical education courses.
"It's just a little bit different for us because it isn't focused solely on classroom space and brick and mortar school buildings," said McDermott. "We are looking outside of where we've been looking before".
The district will conduct a phone survey within the next month with people who live in the Maize district. The Maize school board will use that information to decide how to move forward in the Spring. That could include proposing a bond issue, finding other ways to pay for some improvements or not making any immediate changes.