Kildare School seeks bond for school expansion, renovation

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

KILDARE — Kildare Public School (KPS) has seen a lot of growth recently. They have the largest student body in many years, and have added the first seventh grade class in several decades. While that growth can be viewed as a positive for the school district, it is putting constraints on the building, which hasn’t been expanded in years. It is for those reasons that KPS is approaching voters within the school district to head out to the polls Nov. 12 to vote on a $2 million bond measure, which will help the school continue to grow for many years to come.

The student body currently numbers at 114, and with the returning seventh grade students, classroom space is extremely limited.

“We’re seeking a bond to help build classrooms for the growth that we’ve experienced during the last few years,” said KPS Superintendent and Principal Bruce Shelley. “We’ve had over 50 percent growth since 2010, and we’re finding the need for more space.”

The $2 million bond will fund new classrooms, but there are other factors they are addressing with the funding. Safety and security will be a focus, with a new sprinkler fire suppression system in the case of a fire in the building, along with plans for a new secure front entrance and a fence around the playground.

They gymnasium will also be a focus, starting with a new heating and cooling system, new flooring and an expansion of the north wall for more stands.

A new bus barn will be constructed to better store the buses in the winter.

Roof problems will also be addressed.

“We’ll reroof the gym and cafeteria, and improve networking to make better use of the technology,” Shelley said.

The bond will last about 10 years. Voting will take place at KPS, 1265 Church St., from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. For more information, contact KPS at (580) 362-2811 or the Kay County Election Board, at (580) 362-2130.