Seneca voters will decide on a $9 million bond issue on April 8. The bond issue would support building expansions for the Seneca R-7 school district.
The proposed expansions include; a new career center attached to the high school, a designated storm shelter for the junior high school that would accommodate 300 people and a childcare center. If approved, there will be no additional tax increase. The upcoming ballot question will be listed as “no tax increase’.
The new career center would benefit clubs requiring more space, such as Future Farmers of America or Family Career and Community Leaders of America. The new space will allow both programs to expand their educational capabilities.
The current building is about two blocks away from the high school. The distance between the two buildings has raised concerns with educators like Angel Roller - Seneca's Agriculture Instructure and FFA Advisor.
Agriculture classes like plant management and welding require additional preparation before class. Even the two-block commute cuts into class time.
"We are losing almost ten minutes of class every day because the kids have to have extra time to walk over to the ag building and extra ten minutes to walk back over,” she said.
Roller said the proposed building would create better collaboration with her colleagues.
The FCCLA program would also directly benefit from the career center building. Like the Agriculture program, it requires extra space, like multiple kitchens and a washer and dryer.
Seneca's FACs teacher and FCCLA advisor, Makynzi Richey, said the expansion would improve the numbers in both her organization and class. Richey said she must move her classroom around to accommodate her students.
"I've had to turn away some students to take the class next year. Because I don't have any space in my classroom for them to all take it at the same time," explains Richey.
According to Richey, Seneca's FCCLA chapter only had one member because of the limited space.
She is excited to see the impact the new building would have on her students.
"That would be a major benefit for them. And just their collaboration, they are going to be able to be more involved in class and learn more," said Richey.
The expansion idea started seven years ago. Community members decided on a solid plan for the next ten years. According to the school Superintendent, Brandon Eggleston, this was to avoid 'plugging up different holes' in the future.
"We're looking forward to having this opportunity and just hoping we hope we open it so we can get this done for our kids," said Eggleston.
Once approved, the district will meet with architects and construction workers to finalize plans. Eggleston estimates construction will take about eighteen months to finish.
The bond issue requires a 57.1% majority to pass. Its passing would extend the district's 85-cent debt service levy 12 to 14 years past its 2035 expiration date, meaning it would expire in 2049. The district already has a $2.75 levy for operating expenses. The new tax levy would be $3.60 per $100 of assessed valuation, making the property tax $684 on a home with an estimated value of $100,000.
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