Special Bond Election Approaching for WPS Improvements
"Communities in Concert" Campaign Prepares for March 11 Election Day
Launch the media gallery 1 playerVoters of Wahoo will go to the polls for a special election on Tuesday, March 11, to vote on a bond issue for improvements to the Wahoo Public Schools.
The "Communities in Concert" Campaign has been organized by the district and community members, in hopes of making the following improvements to WPS:
Fine Arts
* a 750-seat theater for the Performing
Arts
* a classroom dedicated for Instrumental Music
* a classroom dedicated for Vocal Music
Athletics
* updating the Little Theater into an area
dedicated for physical fitness and weight training
* updating the weight room into an area dedicated for wrestling
* resurfacing the track's running surface
Academics
* adding two new elementary classrooms,
completing the elementary's master building plan
* updating the existing music rooms into classrooms
* remodeling the science classrooms
Anticipated Growth
* increasing the community's marketability
* increasing area access to the Fine Arts
* increasing our children's involvement in positive extracurricular
activities
Safety
* installation of fire suppression system in
Middle School and High School
* remodeling of the administration office areas to increase
building security
* expansion of parking area
* meeting all state mandated handicap accessibility
requirements
Approximately 45 percent of the $6.6 million bond issue request is being designated to construct a new performing arts center. This 750-seat facility will become the first performing arts center in Saunders County. Currently Saunders County (the 15th most populated in Nebraska) is the only one of the top 20 most populated counties without a performing arts center. The facility will also be available to other area schools, including Conference and District fine arts competitions, and for a variety of community activities, including community choirs, political debates, etc.
Below is the architect's concept drawing of this facility (click to enlarge):
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Other concept drawings:
The new performing arts center will replace the existing Little Theater, which will be transformed into a physical fitness/strength training center if the bond election passes. Below are two photos of the seating areas of the Little Theater during a WHS fine arts performance:
The passing of this bond issue will result in an increase of the tax levy of 6.6 cents per $100 of valuation, so taxes on a $100,000 home, for example, would increase by $66 per year.
Voters who turn 18 by November 4, 2008 are eligible to vote in this March 11 bond issue election. The deadline for voter registration is 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 29 in the County Clerk's office at the courthouse. The last day for mail-in voter registration is February 22.
Early voting ballot requests to be mailed must be received by the County Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. Early voting ballots may be picked up in person until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. Early voting ballots must be returned to the County Clerk's office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11.
The Communities in Concert committee hopes that a successful election outcome will provide Wahoo Public Schools' students and the community with enhanced opportunities in academics, athletics, and fine arts.
For more information, please visit the Communities in Concert web site.