Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
Despite the controversial opinions of the USD 402 bond issue, the $55 million no-levy increase was passed unofficially this week.
The bond passed with 1,745 total Augusta voters casting their ballot. Of those unoffciail votes, 1,174 were yes and 571 were no. The post-election ballot audit, which is required by Kansas Statute 25-3009, was held on Thursday evening in the Butler County Commissioner’s room. The three-person team audited 1% of precincts that included Ward 1 and Ward 4.
The audit ran smoothly except for one ballot being misplaced. A Spring Township ballot was accidentally sorted into the Ward 1 ballots. This didn’t change the vote count once sorted properly and the missing ballot from Ward 1 was found. Ballots are counted by machines when they’re cast then sorted by the Butler County Election team by hand on election night as they are collected from polling stations to ensure the machines count them correctly.
Once the two mixed up ballots were sorted, the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ ballots equaled properly and the audit was a success. On Tuesday during the County Commission meeting beginning at 9am, the canvass team with verify the election results, making them official.
Every school in USD 402 will be touched by the bond.
Augusta High School will receive a major main office location change. Currently located in the center of the high school, it will be moved to the front entrance so visibility of visitors and anyone entering the building can be better monitored. The noted new construction includes eight new classrooms, an new art room, expanded CTE, new fine arts, new band room, new gym entry, expanded weights room and new wrestling room that fits three mats.
An auto lock system was mentioned to be purchased with the ability to lockdown every single classroom and building with one button.
Augusta Middle School will receive less construction that includes a new band room, and renovations to the science room, courtyard, learning spaces, weight room and collaboration rooms as well as the administration office.
Ewalt Elementary School will receive a new staff parking area, a new walking path outside, a new music and storage room, and new secured entry as well as renovations on collaborative spaces, the counselor’s office, special education rooms, staff workroom, ISS and speech rooms, and the conference room.
Garfield Elementary School will receive very minor changes. These changes include a new band room, and new front entry parking as well as renovations of the special education rooms, security film, and breakout rooms.
Lincoln Elementary School will receive a new awning outside, new band/multipurpose room and renovations to the special education, workrooms, and professional learning room.
Construction is expected to take two years to complete with major renovations taking place over the summer when there are few to no students present.
