A school bond is a funding tool used by public school districts to support capital improvement projects, such as building renovations, new facilities, or infrastructure upgrades. These bond measures are placed on the ballot by school boards for the community to vote on, giving residents the opportunity to decide whether to approve the funding.

A no mill increase school bond issue is a type of funding mechanism used by school districts to raise money for projects, such as renovating facilities, or improving infrastructure, without raising the property tax rate (measured in "mills") for taxpayers.

The community has an opportunity to make meaningful improvements to our schools without increasing the mill levy.

Taking action now is especially important given the impact of inflation—costs for goods and services will only rise over time, and the need for facility upgrades is inevitable. Moving forward with these improvements today can help avoid higher costs in the future and potentially reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Currently, Augusta High School (AHS) is the second-oldest high school in Butler County. As buildings age, they require more frequent and costly maintenance, as highlighted in the "Life Cycle of a Building" diagram below.

USD 402 has been proactive in addressing key maintenance needs, such as roofs, HVAC units, and parking lots, to minimize deferred upkeep. These efforts have put us in a strong position to take advantage of this bond opportunity and further enhance the learning environment for our students. With that said, despite our best efforts, older facilities like AHS still require significant infrastructure upgrades—including electrical, plumbing, fire safety systems, clocks, and intercoms. 

This bond allows us to not only address critical maintenance but also enhance classrooms, technology, and safety to provide our students with the modern learning environment they deserve.

Yes. USD 402 is committed to providing safe and secure learning environments. If the bond is approved, the district could install automated secured entry locks in every classroom, allowing each room to be locked instantly with the push of a button.

Additionally, there are recommendations to relocate the Augusta High School (AHS) main office from its current location in the middle of the building to the main entrance. This change would enhance safety by ensuring that key staff members—such as secretaries, administrators, the school resource officer (SRO), nurse, and counselors—are better positioned to monitor and connect with all visitors entering the school.

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The primary focus will be on Augusta High School’s renovation due to its age and the need for upgrades to support modern educational opportunities. However, all district facilities will be reviewed and are expected to see some level of improvement. The specific areas for enhancement will be shaped through input from a variety of stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and community members.

Many students are interested in Career and Technical Education (CTE), which can provide a path to high-wage, high-demand jobs. As a result, strategic partnerships with WSU Tech and Butler Community College, combined with our new and renovated CTE facilities, will lead our students to success in the trades and industry after graduation.

While birthrates are declining across Kansas and the United States, whether Augusta serves 2,000 or 1,900 students, every child deserves access to high-quality, modern, and equitable schools. Research shows that schools play a key role in homebuyers’ decisions when choosing a community.

When comparing Augusta’s facilities to those of other Kansas districts, it’s worth asking: Do Augusta students have access to facilities that are on par with other high schools? Do they deserve the same quality of facilities to prepare them for college and career opportunities?

Investing in modern, equitable learning environments ensures that every student—regardless of enrollment numbers—has the tools and resources needed for success, while also supporting the overall community’s long-term growth and appeal.

Building a new high school would be significantly more expensive than a renovation. The good news is that the district has the bond capacity to make substantial improvements while remaining fiscally responsible. Essential renovations to the existing building allows the community to preserve cherished features and enhance the learning environment of our current facility.

This is a $55 million no-mill-increase bond, meaning the district can make critical facility  improvements without raising the tax rate. By issuing new bonds as older ones are paid off, USD 402 can fund these vital improvements while keeping the mill levy the same. In addition, $6.6 million (12%) of the bond will be funded by the State of Kansas. The current bond & Interest mill rate is 18.376.

No.

Bonds can only be funded through the Bond and Interest Mill levy. It is not possible for schools to assess a special sales tax for any reason, including bond issues. 

Kansas school districts have the following mill levies:

General Fund: Required 20 mills (this number cannot be increased or decreased)

Supplemental General Fund: Operation funds

• Both the General fund and supplemental general fund are used for operating costs: Examples Teacher salaries, classroom supplies, textbooks, utilities, etc. 

Capital Outlay Fund: Used for ongoing maintenance, repairs, furniture, computer hardware/software, etc. These funds help to maintain a school district, but will not generate enough funds for significant building renovations. 

• Examples: Chromebooks, student desks, school buses, roof repairs, HVAC repairs. 
• Capital outlay funds can NOT be used for teacher, para, administrative salaries, etc. The funds are designed to maintain facility needs of a school district over time. 

Bond & Interest Fund: Require a community vote. The funds can be used to build new schools & major renovations. 

• Examples: New CTE program, renovating outdated buildings, adding classroom space for new/improved programs, fixing large scale maintenance needs. etc
• Funds cannot be used for operating funds (ex: salaries, etc). 

If the district did not have a bond mill levy, the mill levy will reduce no sooner than Fall of 2026. The following provides the taxpayer with a formula to determine tax savings per $100,000 of appraised valuation on a residential property. 

      1 mill = $11.50/year per $100,000 valuation of a residential home. 

      1 mill = $25/year per $100,000 valuation of a commercial property. 

Residential Example: A home valued at $100,000: $11.50 x 18.376 mills equates to approximately= $17.61 per month, or $211.32 annually.

Commercial Example: A commercial property valued at $100,000: $25.00 x 18.376 mills equates to approximately= $38.29 per month, or $459.40 annually.

The Robinson Community Center (formerly Robinson Elementary School), provides a wide variety of benefits to the community, supporting Augustans of all ages.

The facility now houses the Augusta Recreation Commission, The Augusta Caring Center, ESSDACK Adult Learning Center, the Augusta Community Garden, the USD 402 Facilities Department, and is the future home of the newly established Sunflower Virtual Academy. 

When a school undertakes a bond project—such as renovations, additions, or new construction—the improvements must be ADA compliant. 

ADA compliance in bond projects typically includes:

• Accessible entrances, restrooms, and classrooms

• Proper signage and wayfinding

• Ramps, elevators, and door widths

• Accessible routes inside and outside the building

• Parking spaces and drop-off zones that meet accessibility standards

The bond planning process has included turfed playgrounds with shade canopies. The district is working with architects on playgrounds with ADA ramps and features. The district has contacted a turf company, who has confirmed that wheelchairs, etc. would be able to maneuver on turfed playground areas. 

Student achievement requires a holistic approach, including teaching/learning best practices, professional development, high quality instructional materials, and high quality classroom facilities.

The district has recently implemented new reading and math curriculums, aligned to the science of reading / math. We are also engaged in strategic planning for special education and support services. In addition, a significant amount of staff are engaged in reading and math cadres (cohort), building upon their expertise.  Another way the district is supporting student learning is the newly established Sunflower Virtual Academy- keeping students engaged in learning in a new way.

While we want all students to be college ready, we recognize that college is not the path for all USD 402 students. Knowing that, the bond places a strong focus on Career & Tech Education- allowing students to gain career credentials prior to graduating high school. The district has also increased our focus on student internships, allowing students that earn credentials to move into an internship in the trades, industry, manufacturing, or professional career areas.  

We have a number of fine arts students that earn college scholarships due to our high functioning programs, and we want to be sure to support those students from a facilities perspective as well. 

With that said, we are excited about the impact that facility improvements can have on student achievement. We believe that high quality facilities, designed for modern instructional needs, with natural light, and high-quality career focused programs will benefit the next generation of Augustans. Studies have shown that incorporating natural light into classrooms can significantly enhance students' academic performance, health, and overall well-being.

May 6, 2025

AUGUSTA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
1501 State St | Augusta, KS
Augusta W1, Augusta W2, Bloomington Twp, Bruno
Twp, Pleasant Twp, Spring Twp, & Walnut Twp

AUGUSTA METHODIST CHURCH
2420 Ohio St | Augusta, KS
Augusta W3, Augusta W4, & Augusta Twp

ADVANCED BALLOT BY MAIL
205 W Central Courthouse | El Dorado, KS
Application Deadline: Received by April 23, 2025

Yes, the financial plan is for the bond mill levy to stay flat throughout the life of the bond. 

The 2008 Bond was paid off early as a result of the district refinancing the bond interest rate multiple times (lower rate). Refinancing the bonds saved the taxpayer about $8 million over the course of the bond.