The USD 379 school board is nearing a request for public feedback on an upcoming

tax-neutral bond issue. The current six-mill bond levy is scheduled to expire in September of 2026. 

USD 379 will hold a bond election in March of 2026 to ask voters to renew the tax-neutral six mill bond levy, and they are considering two options: a deferred maintenance-only bond or a consolidation bond.

Due to the significant decline in enrollment and its projected continuation, the district is investigating ways to reduce its footprint through the consolidation of buildings in Clay Center. 

Facilities are extremely expensive to own and maintain. Another safety and efficiency priority is to find a way to remove the two mobile units to the south of Lincoln Elementary that housed three classrooms last year.

With the removal of those classrooms, the board is investigating the feasibility of consolidating into a single K-5 building at Clay Center, as that is the most efficient

educational model in the industry. Other options are also being considered.

The board said constituent feedback will help them come to a decision. This rundown includes feedback from a committee of USD 379 administrators who reviewed the logistics of each move and listed key takeaways. Options that were discussed include:

1. Maintenance-Only Bond 

This option would not involve any consolidation. It

would, however, provide funding for deferred maintenance projects, like repairing roofs, replacing parking lots, and upgrading safety and security systems. 

This option would include these bigger-ticket items that the board agreed can only be funded via a bond (regular capital outlay budgets aren’t large enough).

2. Potential Consolidation Option 1

• 7-12 students @ CCCHS

• 4-6 @ CCCMS

• Prek-3 @ Lincoln

• This option was rejected by the school board, as it would require a sizable addition to CCCHS.

3. Potential Consolidation Option 2

• 9-12 @ CCCHS

• 5-8 @ CCCMS

• Prek-4 @ Lincoln

• Eliminate Garfield Elementary

• Additional teacher licensure would be needed with this option.

• Elective teachers would need to add 5th and 6th graders to their schedule, lowering current elective options in 6th-8th grades. 

• Lincoln art/music/PE teachers may lose full-time status, pay, and benefits. 

• At Lincoln, mobile units may still be needed, as full-time classrooms and art/music teachers would need to move between classrooms, potentially lowering the quality and variety of instruction. 

• This also places the Lincoln at max capacity at just three sections per grade, meaning there is no room for additional classes.

4. Potential Consolidation Option 3

• 9-12 @ CCCHS

• 6-8 @ CCCMS

• K-5 @ Lincoln

• Pre-K and Administration @ Garfield (close Stuart Admin. Center, or SAC)

• This option would need a small addition at Lincoln in order to have enough room for all students, which is also ADA accessible. 

• Option comes with the most pros, like limiting teacher travel, efficient use of staff, reducing cost by closing the current SAC office, and reducing the number of transitions for students.

Constituents are encouraged to reach out to school board members to share their views on available options. 

Their contact information can be found on the USD 379 website.