School Bond Election Frequently Asked Questions
August 03, 2005
Voters in the Andover School District will have the opportunity to go to the polls Sept. 27 to decide a $39,680,000 bond issue. The bond issue would be a net increase of 3 mills, or approximately $34.50 a year on a $100,000 home, and would include:
1. New Elementary School #1 � North $8,816,000
Opening - Fall 2007 � Capacity 550 students
2. New Elementary School #2 � South $8,816,000
Opening - Fall 2007 � Capacity 550 students
3. New Elementary School #3 � TBD $9,213,000
Opening - Fall 2008 � Capacity 550 students
(To replace Martin or Meadowlark)
4. Andover High School Improvements $5,360,000
a. 8 new classrooms
b. New weight room
c. New wrestling room
d. New stagecraft room and drama room
e. Theatrical lighting
f. New competition gym (seating for 1,600)
g. Greenhouse
h. Parking lot improvements
5. Martin/Meadowlark Improvements $1,648,000
a. Opening as one school � Fall 2008
b. New electrical and storage in most classrooms
c. Plumbing and drainage improvements
d. New cafeteria and kitchen area
e. Renovated and additional office area
f. Larger rooms for music, art, computers, and nurse
6. Cottonwood Improvements $300,000
a. 2 new classrooms
b. New bathrooms in NW Hall
c. Renovate bathrooms by locker rooms
7. Security Issues $400,000
a. Security, lighting, and fencing added at elementary sites. Fire alarm door mechanism installed at Martin.
b. Security cameras and security system installed at both high schools.
8. Activity Improvements $935,000
a. District Stadium improvements including upgrading locker rooms, official�s dressing room, press box, raising scoreboard, fencing and service drive to concession stand. Improvements at the Central athletic fields to include additional parking football and baseball complex, concession stand, press box, and restrooms for the football complex
9. Other Costs $4,162,000
Land acquisition
Technology costs for new schools
Playground equipment
Platting and Civil Engineering
Library start-up costs
Infrastructure
Total $39,680,000
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Polling Locations for the September 27 bond election
ButlerCounty
Andover District Stadium, 1747 N. Andover Rd.
Faith Baptist Church, 417 W. Central
St. Vincent Catholic Church, 123 N. Andover Rd.
SedgwickCounty
East Point Church of Christ, 747 N. 127th St. E.
Metro East Baptist Church, 333 N. 143rd St. E.
Polling
hours on September 27 are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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FAQs
Listed below are some frequently asked questions about the bond issue. If you have additional questions, contact the school district at (316) 733-5017 or austink@usd385.org.
School size/class size
What are the capacities of each school?
There are two kinds of capacities -- full capacity and functional capacity. Full capacity is determined by filling each classroom to the maximum number of students. Functional capacity is the number of students that a building can realistically handle and function effectively. Functional capacities are usually 85-90% of the stated full capacity. Full capacities for each school are as follows:
Andover Central HS � 900
Andover Central MS � 750
Andover High School � 775
Andover Middle School � 750
Sunflower � 500
Cottonwood � 470
Martin � 425
Meadowlark � 425
What are the guidelines for class size?
Class size guidelines for students in kindergarten through second grade are 20 students. Class size guidelines for students in grades 3-5 is 25 students. There are no guidelines for class size for grades 6-12 due to the varied sizes of certain courses.
What are the guidelines for school size?
A study on school size was conducted by Wichita State University in 1998. According to the study, recent research revealed that the optimal high school size is between 600 and 900 students. The review also found that middle school enrollments in excess of 600 are problematic, and an elementary enrollment in excess of 500 could be unwieldy.
In 1998, the Andover Board of Education adopted the following guidelines for maximum school size to help guide them in dealing with district growth.
Elementary � 500 students
Middle School � 750 students
High School � 900 students
Boundaries
Can students go to school in Andover if they don�t live in the Andover school district?
The Andover School District�s residency policy does not allow out-of-district students to attend schools in Andover, with a few exceptions according to board policy. One of the main reasons for this closed enrollment policy is that the amount of taxes paid by property owners in each school district is different. Andover School District patrons are paying for several bond issues that out-of-district patrons would not be obligated to pay.
How were the school boundaries decided when the school district split?
A district transition committee recommended the current in-district school boundaries. These boundaries were based on enrollment and demographic information available at the time.
Why isn�t Bellagio in our school district? Why can�t they go to school in Andover?
Bellagio (on the corner of 159thSt. East and Kellogg) lies just outside the Andover School District boundaries. Bellagio is in the Wichita School District. These school district boundary lines were established in 1967 when school consolidation took place across the state of Kansas. In order to change these boundary lines, a series of steps need to take place. First both school districts must agree to the change, and then the State Board of Education must approve the change. This has happened very rarely in the State of Kansas. The Andover School District has a closed enrollment policy, so students must live in the district to attend school here.
Will the boundaries change after the bond issue? How do I know if my children will be attending the same school?
External district boundaries will not change. Elementary boundaries will likely change with the addition of elementary schools. In a growing district such as Andover, boundaries sometimes need to be revised. Secondary boundaries are unlikely to change as a result of this bond issue.
Developments
Is there a list of proposed developments from the City of Andover?
Yes. The City of Andover has a list of potential residential developments that is available at City Hall.
What are the major housing developments for each school?
Quadrant 1 - Martin, AMS, AHS
Rocky Creek, Savannah, Brookhaven I and II, Crestview Country Club, North Point, Kimberly Hills, The Pinnacle, Pinehurst, White Tail, Overbrook, Douglass Heights.
Quadrant 2 -Cottonwood, AMS, AHS
Reed�s Cove, The Hawthorne, Preston Trail 3 and 4, Andover Heights, Terradyne, Quail Crossing, North Meadow, Caywood Addition, Briarcliff Addition, Fortney Addition, Easter Addition, Andover Proper (also referred to as Phillips Addition), Cloudridge Apartments, Wagon Wheel, Cedar Park, Mystic Point, Chestnut Ridge, Cornerstone.
Quadrant 3 - Sunflower, ACMS, ACHS
Green Valley 8th-10th Additions, Crescent Lakes, Andover Village, Reflection Lake, Andover Estates, Bi Centennial, Tuscany, Bales Addition, Aspen Creek, Montana Hills, Flint Hills National, Heather Lakes, Highland Addition, Winchester Estates, Lakeview Heights, Kellogg Heights, Willowbrook
Quadrant 4 - Meadowlark, ACMS, ACHS
Green Valley, Belle Terre, Belle Terre Estates, Shadybrook, The Meadows at Shadybrook, Chateauroux, Shoal Creek, Bridgefield, Mecca Acres, Cottonwood Pointe
What is the number of lots platted for construction by each of the four quadrants?
The number of approved lots (platted and unplatted) for each quadrant is listed below.
Some of the numbers are estimates as the number of lots outside the city limits is more difficult to ascertain.
Inside City Limits Outside City Limits Total
Martin 0 214 214
Cottonwood 1308 572 1880
Meadowlark 104 74 178
Sunflower 959 150 1109
Inside City Limits Outside City Limits Total
North Side 1308 786 2094
South Side 1063 224 1287
Many of Cottonwood�s platted lots outside the city limits are actually located along the 21st corridor and actually are located in the Martin quadrant. These developments (Preston Trail, Reed�s Cove, The Hawthorne, Cornerstone and Chestnut Ridge) were all moved to the Cottonwood attendance area because of lack of space at Martin. Cottonwood�s largest concentration of platted lots � 1,006 at Cornerstone � is within the city limits and was moved from the Martin quadrant to Cottonwood. This new development at the corner of Andover Rd. and 21stStreet will take years to develop with each phase consisting of about 50 to 60 single family homes. Remember it took almost 15 years for Green Valley to build out (and it is not finished yet). This development is almost twice as large as Green Valley.
In the short-term, Sunflower has the most potential growth as many of the developments in this quadrant have already begun.
Is one side of the district growing faster than the other?
Both sides of the school district have experienced increased enrollment. Currently the south side of the district (Meadowlark, Sunflower, Andover Central Middle, and Andover Central High) has 1,899 students compared to 1,859 students on the north side (Martin, Cottonwood, Andover Middle, and Andover High). Although both sides experienced similar growth in 2002 and 2003, the north side experienced a 10.3% increase in enrollment this school year (2004-2005) compared to 6.3% for the south side.
Funding
One mill raises how much money for the school district?
A mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The current assessed valuation of the district is approximately $164,000,000. Therefore 1 mill raises $164,000.
One mill costs how much money per $100,000 of assessed home value?
Residential property is assessed at a rate of 11.5% of Fair Market Value. A $100,000 home is assessed at $11,500 ($100,000 x .115).
One mill would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $11.50 per year.
One mill would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $23.00 per year.
One mill would cost the owner of a $300,000 home $34.50 per year.
One mill would cost the owner of a $400,000 home $46.00 per year.
Who pays for infrastructure costs?
All USD 385 patrons (even those who live outside the city limits) have paid for infrastructure costs (roads, surveys, water and sewer hook-up, etc.) in past school bond issues. In 1998, $5,311,618 of the $52 million bond was used for infrastructure costs. In the upcoming bond, just over $4 million has been earmarked to pay for site selection, road improvements, sewer, water and other start-up costs. The city of Andover, through mutual agreement of both parties, helped share some of the infrastructure costs at the central campus site because because some of the infrastructure was also used for the new city park east of Andover Central Middle School.
What does it cost to cover:
a. Operating costs?
b. Staff salaries?
c. Bussing and transportation?
d. Facility maintenance?
e. Grounds?
Two publications are available from the Central Office that provide detailed budget information. They are: �Budget at a Glance� and �Budget Profile 2004-05.�
Two funds, General and Supplemental General, provide 98% of operating funds for the district. The Kansas State Department of Education requires districts to allocate expenditures in 7 specific categories. Those categories and their percent of budgeted expenditures for 2004-05 were:
Instruction 59%
Student and Instructional Support 7%
General Administration 7%
Building Administration 8%
Operations and Maintenance 15%
Capital Improvements 0%
Other Costs 4%
The budgeted amount for these categories and funds is $5,830 per pupil.
The All Funds report includes all district funds and one additional category � Debt Service. Those categories and their percent of budgeted expenditures for 2004-05 were:
Instruction 51%
Student and Instructional Support 5%
General Administration 4%
Building Administration 5%
Operations and Maintenance 10%
Capital Improvements 2%
Debt Service 14%
Other Costs 8%
The budgeted amount for these categories and funds is $9,445 per pupil.
How can or do local taxes supplement this? What are the limits? How much is currently funded in Andover?
Since the 1992 School Finance Act (which is currently being challenged in the Kansas Supreme Court) was implemented, the state has controlled the amount school districts are allowed to spend. As noted above, a district�s weighted enrollment is calculated and then multiplied by the state authorized budget per pupil. The result is the legal maximum General Fund budget for the district. A maximum 25% Supplemental General Fund can be authorized by the board of education subject to certain statutory restrictions and/or protest petition. The General Fund of every school district is funded by a 20 mill levy. If the 20 mill levy does not raise the amount authorized by weighted enrollment, state aid makes up for the difference. In a handful of districts (Burlington, e.g.), the 20 mill levy raises more than is authorized, and the difference must be returned to the state�s general fund. Andover has statutory authority for a maximum of 25% Supplemental General fund and has levied the maximum since 2000.
How are facilities funded? Is the local payoff of bonds separate from operation supplement?
New facilities may be built using Capital Outlay funds or through the issuance of
General Obligation (GO) bonds. GO bonds must be authorized by the citizens at a
special or regular election.
Since 1992, the state has assisted districts in the building of new facilities by
providing a level of state aid based upon the wealth of the district. Wealthy districts
receive little or no state aid, while poorer districts can receive up to 70% in state funding.
The wealth of a district is determined by dividing the assessed value of the school district by the full-time equivalent (non-weighted) enrollment. The districts are rank ordered and the lowest receive the largest amount of state aid. The Andover School District qualified for 34% in state aid for facilities during the 2004-05 school year.
What other sources of funding are available? Federal funding? AAF? PTO?
Federal Funding (with the exception of Food Service funds) amounted to approximately $200,000 in 2004-05. With a $21,000,000 General and Supplemental General funds, federal funds are less than 1% of the operating funds of the district. The Andover Advantage Foundation has provided a grant program for teachers since its inception. Since 1998, the foundation has made 290 grants totaling over $96,000. In addition, in 2004, the Foundation made a $16,000 presentation to the school district to promote technology purchases for use in the social studies curriculum. The Foundation helped to purchase LCD projectors, DVD players, document cameras, and Smart Pads.
PTO�s and Booster Clubs provide funding to teachers, schools and programs. The
exact amounts of funding provided by these organizations are not maintained by the
district since they operate independent of the board of education.
Other
Why does Andover High School need a new gym?
Andover High School�s current gym doesn�t meet present or future capacity needs. The new gym will seat 1,600 and better accommodate the high-quality activity program and the growing student population.
Will voters in both Sedgwick and Butler counties pay for the bond issue?
Yes. Anyone who lives in the Andover School District, which spans part of Butler County and part of Sedgwick County, will pay for the bond issue.
Do we know how many in-district students attend private schools?
The school district does not have a formal method of collecting this information.
I already support the Andover Advantage Foundation, which supports the schools. Why should I support this?
The Andover Advantage Foundation has been instrumental in the continued success of the students in the Andover School District. The Foundation provides extra learning opportunities that would not otherwise be available in classroom budgets.
The bond would not supply these extra learning opportunities, but instead would allow the district to build facilities to better accommodate the growing student population.
How will the city sales tax issues for the library affect the school bond issue?
The City of Andover will be asking the voters to support a sales tax increase in a September 20 vote. The increase will help fund a new city library for Andover. The sales tax is completely separate of the school bond issue, which would be paid for by property tax. The cost of the school bond would be a net increase of 3 mills, which equals approximately $34.50 a year on a $100,000 home.
Why are athletic items included in the bond
issue?
Athletic items included in
the bond issues are all facility issues and therefore come under
the bond. Student activities are an integral part of a
student�s education. In addition, the District Growth
Committee, which represented a cross section of the community, felt
this was a need that should be included.
Where will Robert M. Martin Elementary School and Meadowlark Elementary be located?
The bond issue would renovate the adjoining building that currently houses Martin and Meadowlark and make it into one school. The student body and staff from either Martin or Meadowlark would stay in this renovated building, and the student body and staff from either Martin or Meadowlark would move to one of the new elementary schools. The decision about which student body will attend which building will be recommended by a transition committee after the bond election.
How much will the bond issue cost me?
The new property tax increase would be 3 mills. Residential property is assessed at a rate of 11.5% of Fair Market Value. A $100,000 home is assessed at $11,500 ($100,000 x .115). One mill would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $11.50 per year, and the net 3 mill increase of the bond issues would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $34.50 per year. If district tax values increase more than projected, the net increase might actually be less than 3 mills.
Where will the new schools be located?
Locations have not been finalized for the new elementary schools. Acquisition of land is a Board of Education responsibility. A portion of the bond money would be used for land purchase.
Why doesn�t the district add on to existing schools instead of building new ones?
The community and the Board of Education have been committed to small schools and small class sizes. The 1998 WSU study recommended that a full capacity elementary school not exceed 500 students for optimal learning. In addition, adding classrooms to an already at-capacity school building does not solve space issues in the hallways, restrooms, cafeteria, library, and classrooms that house computers, art and music, for instance.
Why didn�t we foresee this growth and build more in the 1998 bond issue?
While the Andover school district has been growing for a number of years, recent growth is unprecedented. Andover is the second fastest growing school district in the State of Kansas. Building new schools in 1998 to house growth that would occur in 2005 would not have been a wise use of dollars and would have left several buildings empty or nearly empty until additional growth occurred. The district grew 3 percent a year prior to the 1998 bond issue and has grown 6 to 8 percent a year since then.
What do portables cost?
The district is leasing four additional portables this year. Total cost will be $57,600 a year for the lease for the four portables, and it will cost approximately $150,000 to install and set up the portables for use.
How many portables does the district currently have, and what are they used for?
Four new portables will be used in the coming school year. Each of the new portables contains two classrooms. One new portable will be placed at Cottonwood Elementary School, two new portables will be placed at Robert M. Martin Elementary School, and one used portable will be placed at Sunflower Elementary School. All eight of these classrooms will be used as grade level classrooms.
In addition, there are four existing portables in the district � one at Martin and one at Meadowlark that are used for band and special programs, and two at AHS that are used for textbook storage and special education classrooms.
How was the decision made in regards to dividing the grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12?
A study on school size by Wichita State University in 1998 provided research on school configurations and optimal organizational structures. The study found that the number of transitions during a students� school career affected student achievement. They found that fewer transitions led to more positive student achievement. Therefore, a reorganization of schools in Andover resulted in the creation of the current K-5, 6-8, 9-12 structure.
What is the normal lifespan of a school? How old can it be and still be functional?
According to Ken Helmer of Howard and Helmer Architects, the lifespan of a school is highly dependent on upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the facility. However, structurally, most schools are designed to last approximately 50-70 years. Most schools become obsolete because of functional problems with technology, programming, curriculum issues, and the like.
What is the arrangement with Butler Community College?
The building currently occupied by Butler Community College and attached to Andover High School is owned by the Andover school district and leased by the college. The college has paid for their portion of the building in full. They continue to pay some fees for utilities, etc. The lease agreement with the college is due to expire after the 2012/2013 school year.
What is the district�s annual revenue from the Butler Community College lease?
The district receives $160,000 per year from Butler Community College to pay the costs of insurance, utilities (except for phone service), maintenance and custodial services. BCC paid for, in full, the entire capital cost of construction of the facility. Renovations
requested by BCC are paid for by BCC. Additionally, BCC has contributed additional sums of money to pay a portion of the costs of parking lot expansions and additional lighting. BCC also pays for several positions in the joint-use library in order to provide evening and weekend staffing.
Is it possible to buy out Butler Community College before their lease expires after the 2012/2013 school year so Andover High School can take over the space?
Community forum feedback expressed a desire to continue the cooperative agreement with Butler Community College. The lease with BCC is a twenty-year lease with an effective date of September 1993. The term of the lease expires in August 2013. BCC has a strong desire to retain a presence in Andover since the Butler of Andover (BOA) is the largest site of credit hour production and student enrollment. There are no contractual provisions for an early buyout or termination of the lease. The lease may be terminated by mutual agreement of the parties.
What is the rationale for storm shelters in future buildings?
Some school districts have applied for FEMA funding to include storm shelters in
their new buildings. Storm shelters are not required by code. In accordance with our
district safety plan, each school has identified areas in the building where students
would go in case of severe weather and tornadoes.
Is it possible to �force� the sale of land to the school district?
The school district, like other governmental entities, has the power of �eminent domain.� K.S.A. 72-8212a states, �A unified school district may acquire by condemnation, for school purposes, any interest in real property . . .�
Will we need a third high school, or will our current high schools go to 5A?
Projections show that Andover High School will reach capacity in 2011-2012. Both AHS and Andover Central High School could become 5A schools as they approach their capacity of 900 students.
