In addition to discussion about the need for a fifth high school, Hutchison and Erin Dugan, Assistant Superintendent and Bond Task Force Co-Chair, presented information about the need for a 36th elementary school in the next five years, as well as some opportunities a bond could provide the district to update aspects of school buildings to ensure additional safety and security. Some of these projects include: transitioning the district’s final set of elementary schools from classrooms without doors to classrooms with doors, creating secured building entrances at elementary schools with the main office serving as pinch points, and creating secured event entrances at many of the district’s elementary and middle schools, among others.
The Olathe Public Schools Bond Task Force is made up of nearly 60 representatives from parent, staff and community groups. The task force will study a potential June 2013 bond election to meet the district's growth, safety and security, technology and aging facility needs. The group will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 12 and will continue its discussion of district needs while looking at technology and aging facilities. The task force is expected to come back to the Board of Education with a recommendation in March. For more information about the work of the Bond Task Force, go to www.olatheschools.com/bondtaskforce.
