Facts About the USD 251 Bond
Learn about the USD 251 Bond, one fact at a time! These facts are posted to our Facebook page first, so follow us there for the most up-to-date facts and information!
Fun Fact #6: School buildings don’t teach children—but they do matter.
Understanding the USD 251 Bond: One Fact at a Time!
Fun Fact #6: School buildings don’t teach children—but they do matter.
Research on K–12 schools has found that the condition and quality of school facilities can influence the learning environment and student outcomes. Things like lighting, temperature, acoustics, overall building condition, and the functionality of learning spaces can affect students’ ability to focus and teachers’ ability to effectively do their jobs.
This doesn’t mean a new building automatically creates better student achievement. Great teachers, supportive families, and a strong community will always be at the heart of a child’s education.
But our teachers and students deserve a learning environment that supports the work they do every day.
That’s why this bond is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about investing in safe, functional, and quality learning spaces that support our students and staff today and for generations to come.
Want to read the research yourself?
• Glen Earthman (2002)– School Facility Conditions and Student Academic Achievement
[https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5sw56439](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5sw56439)
• Glen Earthman (1998)– The Impact of School Building Condition and Student Achievement and Behavior
[https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED441329.pdf](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED441329.pdf)
• Chris Hewitt (2017)– An Analytic Synthesis of Research Studies Dealing with the Relationship Between School Building Condition and Student Academic Achievement
[https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/89606](https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/89606)
We’re not saying buildings educate our children. We’re saying the environment where children learn matters.
As always if you have any questions please reach out!
Fact #5: Appraised Value vs. Assessed Value
Understanding the USD 251 Bond One Fact at a Time!
Fact #5: Appraised Value vs. Assessed Value
Did you know?
In Kansas, property taxes are not calculated using your home’s appraised value.
Instead, they are based on its assessed value.
The Kansas Department of Revenue sets the assessment rate for different types of property. Residential property in Kansas is assessed at 11.5% of its appraised value.
Example: A Home Appraised at $150,000
Step 1: Determine the assessed value.
$150,000 × 11.5% = $17,250 assessed value
Step 2: Apply the projected bond mill levy.
If both bond propositions pass, the district’s projected bond mill levy is 21 mills (17 mills for Proposition 1 + 4 mills for Proposition 2).
A mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.
$17,250 ÷ 1,000 = 17.25
17.25 × 21 mills = $362.25 per year
What does that mean?
Approximately $362.25 per year
Approximately $30.19 per month
Approximately $6.97 per week
Approximately $0.99 per day
This example is based on a home appraised at $150,000 and the district’s projected 2026 bond mill levy of 21 mills if both propositions pass.
Actual property taxes will vary depending on your home’s appraised and assessed value.
Understanding the difference between appraised value and assessed value helps explain how property taxes are calculated and why taxes are not based on the full market value of your home.
To learn more about the bond proposal, visit:
https://www.usd251.org/page/usd-251-bond-information
As always, if you have questions, please reach out. We are committed to providing factual information to help our community make an informed decision this November.
Stay tuned for more facts each day!
Fact #4: Our Enrollment Is Growing!
Understanding the USD 251 Bond One Fact at a Time!
Fact #4: Our Enrollment Is Growing!
Did you know? While many school districts across Kansas have experienced declining enrollment in recent years, USD 251 has seen overall growth since 2021-22.
According to the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), audited enrollment has been:
2021-22: 315.5 FTE
2022-23: 334.5 FTE
2023-24: 323.5 FTE
2024-25: 320.5 FTE
2025-26: 332.2 FTE
Although enrollment naturally fluctuates from year to year, USD 251 has added nearly 17 FTE students since 2021-22 and has remained consistently above 320 FTE students over the past four years.
We’re proud to see our district continue to grow as we plan for the future of our students and community.
To learn more about the bond proposal, visit:
https://www.usd251.org/page/usd-251-bond-information
As always, if you have questions, please reach out. We are committed to providing information and helping our community make an informed decision this November.
Stay tuned for more facts each day!
Fun Fact #3: The Proposed Bond Has Two Parts
Understanding the USD 251 Bond One Fact at a Time!
Fun Fact #3: The Proposed Bond Has Two Parts
The proposed bond includes two separate questions:
Proposition #1: Educational Building
New high school addition connected to NLC Elementary.
Maximum bond amount: $25,955,000.
Proposition #2: Athletic Complex
New athletic facilities near the schools.
Maximum bond amount: $5,190,000.
The athletic complex proposal can only pass if the educational building proposal passes.
Both parts were developed based on the needs identified throughout the planning process.
To learn more about the bond proposal, visit:
https://www.usd251.org/page/usd-251-bond-information
As always, if you have questions, please reach out. We are committed to providing information and helping our community make an informed decision this November.
Stay tuned for more facts each day!
Fact #2: This Process Started With Community Input
Understanding the 251 Bond One Fact at a Time!
Fact #2: This Process Started With Community Input
For nearly three years, the USD 251 Strategic Planning Committee has been studying the future of our district facilities.
The committee gathered information, researched options, and listened to community feedback through a patron survey.
Based on this feedback, the district began exploring possible facility improvements and developed several options for consideration.
This process has been focused on listening, planning, and creating the best possible future for our students and community.
To learn more about the bond proposal, visit:
https://www.usd251.org/page/usd-251-bond-information
As always, if you have questions, please reach out. We are committed to providing information and helping our community make an informed decision this November.
Stay tuned for more facts each day!
Fact #1: What is a Mill Levy?
Understanding the 251 Bond One Fact at a Time!
Fact #1: What is a Mill Levy?
A mill levy is the property tax used to help fund local schools and other public services.
Here’s an easy way to think about it:
• A mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value—not its market value.
• The amount a homeowner pays depends on the assessed value of their property, not what they could sell it for.
• School bond payments are made through the district’s bond and interest mill levy.
Why does it matter?
When a school bond is proposed, people often ask: “How will it affect the mill levy?”
The answer depends on factors such as:
• The cost of the project
• State aid
• The district’s current debt
• Property valuations within the district
These factors determine whether the bond and interest mill levy changes and by how much.
Learn Before You Vote
Understanding what a mill levy is can help you make an informed decision about the future of USD 251.
Every question matters. Every vote matters.