Hopkins Public Schools will have its first bond election in 19 years Tuesday, May 5.
Supt. Scott VanBonn, himself a Hopkins graduate, has been host for a series of informational public forums over the past academic year. He said the last bond issue from 2007 is just about paid off, so now is a good time to take care of other projects without raising the tax rate.
Supporting the “no tax increases” contention, advocates say it’s like buying a new car at the same rate of payment as the old one, only extending the length of the pay period.
Perhaps the most impactful proposal is the removal of the middle school, which once served as the high school, but now appears to have outlived its usefulness. VanBonn said the new middle school will be a two-story 94,500-square foot facility with landscaping and parking improvements.
The superintendent said the parking situation has continued to get worse every year during student pickups and drop off times.
He agreed some serious planning will be needed to accommodate the razing of the old building and erection of the new one without interrupting student learning. It was estimated that the turnaround would be complete within three to four years.
Another impactful proposal is for a new 17,500-square-foot performing arts facility for plays, special events and musical presentations. Another goal is to eliminate the need for middle school and high school music students to go outside to change classes.
The superintendent said the most important goals of the project plans are safety and security, a comfortable learning environment, athletic facility improvements, energy efficient upgrades and enhanced infrastructure.
Officials continue to insist approval of the millage request will not increase the tax rate from the 2025 rate. However, rejection of the request will allow the rate to drop once the current bond has been paid.
School board members have been placing “informational” signs in their yards. It was VanBonn’s understanding that some citizens also were independently making and distributing some “Vote Yes” yard signs.
Members of the audience at the first public forum last fall asked about the old Schwartz farm the district owns, but VanBonn said the property at the corner of 128th Avenue and 24th Street might better be continued as a rental farming parcel that brings in about $12,000 a year to the school system.
Other minor wants include continued electric bus purchases, air conditioning in the gym, concessions at the soccer field and renovations in Sycamore and Hopkins Elementaries and upgrades and repairs for the track.
— Townbroadcast reporter Joseph Schultz contributed to this report.
