Axtell Community School, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
AXTELL — The Axtell community will have a chance to vote on a $5 million school board that, if passed, will enable expansion and renovation of the current school building.
According to the Axtell Community School Bond website, the Axtell Board of Education and administration have been working for the past three years to develop a facility plan to address the critical needs of safety and security and ample and accessible classroom space.
“To solve these urgent issues, the district is proposing a facility expansion and renovation project that will create a secure entrance and office area, additional regular and special education classrooms, handicap accessible restrooms, and workspace. This addition will consolidate students into elementary, middle and high school wings on one floor, creating accessibility for all,” the website states.
Regarding safety and security, the current system provides minimal security, visitors have full access to the building once inside the front doors and the second floor is not fully accessible to all students.
Under the proposed plan, “A new, secure front vestibule directs visitors into the office. Most visitors’ needs can be addressed in the office with-out access to the rest of the building. Health services will be located in the office area for safety and confidentiality,” per the website.
The Axtell school district has also seen a 31 percent increase in students since 2015 for both resident and opt-in student enrollment. There have been issues of crowding and lack of space, and the facility lacks appropriate space for special education services.
Additionally, the current number of restrooms and their size is not adequate for the current student body and the building lacks sufficient teacher works and meeting spaces.
The bond plan would allow for seven additional classrooms to be built and special education will get they’re on dedicated classroom. A workroom will provide educators with a quiet meeting and work spot and there will be seven additional, larger and handicap-accessible restrooms.
“To address our urgent facility needs, the Axtell Community Schools board of education has called an election for a bond not to exceed $5,495,000. This bond will fund facility safety and security improvements for students and staff, provide for district growth and improve the overall functionality of our facility,” the website states.
“A bond is a state-approved funding process for a set scope of projects. When voters approve a bond, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the proceeds of the sale to pay for those projects over time, much like a home mortgage,” the bond site states.
If the bond was approved the total tax levy would be 0.9448, which would still be less than Kearney, Elm Creek, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller, Pleasanton and Holdrege school districts.
Per the website, if the bond does not pass, “Much time and planning has gone into a project that addresses safety and security concerns, provides additional learning space on the main floor accessible to all students, and provides for the needs or our current students with room for potential growth. If the bond fails it could be run again in 2025 unless a legislative bill that has advanced out of Education Committee (LB878) would pass then it would have to wait to be run in November of 2026,” per the website.
There will be two town hall meetings regarding the bond, the first will be Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. at Axtell Community Schools, tours prior to the presentation will be given at 2 p.m.
The second meeting will also be at the school on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m., tours will be given at 6 p.m.
Tours are also available during school hours. Contact the school office to arrange.
The vote will take place on May 14, residents can register online or print an application to mail before April 15th at https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration or register in person by May 3 with their county election official.
If you have questions regarding registration or voting, contact the Kearney County Election Commissioner’s office at 308-832-2723.
