Eisenhower High School

After six months of extensive feedback and numerous engagement opportunities, the USD 265 Bond Steering Committee Co-Chairs Lindsay White, Jessica Holle, Ashley Miller, and Travis Rink presented a bond proposal on behalf of the community to the Goddard Public Schools Board of Education on Monday, December 9th, 2024. The recommendation was approved unanimously by the USD 265 Board of Education and sent to the Kansas State Board of Education for final approval.

As previously stated, the District partnered with Davis Demographics to forecast enrollment for the next decade. They identified 53 separate housing developments with over 5,900 residential units planned. Their findings suggest significant growth for Goddard schools—an increase of 1,000 students in the next five years, and 2,000 students over the next 10 years. This represents more than a 30% increase from our current student population of 6,300.

The USD 265 Strategic Plan states, "We believe the district must provide a safe, caring, and connected learning environment to educate the whole child academically, physically, and socially." The optimal number of students in each elementary school should be 400–450. The most significant need identified was to create additional capacity at the elementary schools, as two elementary schools have already exceeded 500 students enrolled.

The USD 265 Bond Steering Committee, made up of over 50 community leaders, families, and educators from across the District, came together to develop this bond proposal to address the District's future facility needs. Considering information from staff meetings, surveys, and evaluation team meetings, the Steering Committee compiled a list of projects to meet the needs of students and address the rapid growth the community is experiencing.

Within the core projects, two new elementary schools are to be constructed at a new campus site, and Oak Street Elementary School would be repurposed into an Early Childhood Education Center that would house all of the District's Pre-K programs in one centralized location. This will address the most immediate needs of capacity for elementary schools, as well as increase early learning opportunities for all students.

Also included in the proposal are numerous additions to schools, creating new learning spaces across the District; improvements to both the Goddard High School and Eisenhower High School Athletics and Activities, providing both schools varsity competition-level facilities that are adequately accessible to all; as well as investments in safety, security, accessible playgrounds, and infrastructure that will extend the life of roads, parking lots, HVAC, and rooftops.

The USD 265 Board of Education passed a bond resolution for a General Obligation Bond, not to exceed $196,000,000, with an election date tentatively set for Tuesday, May 13th, 2025. The Kansas State Board of Education will consider this proposal on January 14–15, 2025, making the final decision to allow this bond proposal to move forward in this timeframe.

More detailed information about the bond proposal will be made available after feedback from the State Board of Education is provided. If you would like to coordinate an informational presentation for a community organization, homeowners association, or other group that may be interested in learning more about this bond proposal, please contact Dane Baxa, (danebaxa@goddardusd.com) or 316-794-4000.