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Prop B Bond Capital Improvement Projects

Banner with the words, "Prop B - KEARNEY SCHOOLS Zero Tax Rate Increase Bond," "Kearney Bulldogs," a crane lifting objects and "Hometown Values, World-Class Education."

Progress As Promised

The Kearney School District Board of Education asked our residents to vote on a $44 million zero-tax-rate-increase capital improvement bond issue on April 5, 2022, to fund a new long-range facilities master plan for the district. Proposition B was approved, with nearly 64 percent of our residents voting yes.

The bond generated revenue for adding elementary school classrooms to address student enrollment, adding spaces for our Early Education Center, updating school facilities to meet current and future teaching and learning needs for students, and providing safety and facility improvements across the district. Approval of the bond issue does not increase the district's property tax rate.

Proposition B Project Completed or Near Completion

  • Additional Elementary School Classrooms

    In order to ensure that we are using taxpayer dollars effectively and efficiently, KSD used funds from the Proposition B zero-tax-rate-increase bond to add classrooms and make updates at our four existing elementary schools rather than constructing a new school. This decision was reached in June of 2023 after an extensive public engagement process.

    This shift saved money otherwise needed for additional staff, plus the cost of running and maintaining an entirely new building. This also allows us to still achieve the goals of Proposition B. The original plan to add a fifth elementary school would have resulted in about 80 classrooms districtwide. The new plan to expand our current elementary schools will equal about 90 classrooms. We will be adding more teaching and learning spaces because we will be using our current buildings and staff more effectively and efficiently. In addition, this decision allowed us to fund important deferred maintenance projects across the district.

    Southview Elementary – Completed in August 2024

    A crane lifts a beam at a construction site under a bright blue sky.

    Dogwood Elementary – Complete in August 2025

    A large group of students poses for a photo outdoors on a sunny day.

    Hawthorne Elementary – Complete in August 2025

    Children watch a construction site as a crane lifts a large beam.

    Kearney Elementary – Complete in August 2025

    A crane lifts an object above a playground, watched by a crowd of people.

  • Kearney Early Education Center Expansion

    People cut a ribbon at an opening ceremony, with children watching in the background.

    KSD converted the old grocery store into the Kearney Early Education Center (EEC) and district Administrative Offices in 2018. The plan at that time was to eventually use the entire building for the EEC in order to accommodate increased enrollment. We were able to realize that plan thanks to Prop B. The central office was relocated to 425 W. Washington St., and the EEC expansion was completed in time for the start of school in 2023.

  • KHS Auditorium Upgrade

    An empty auditorium under construction, with a worker in the foreground.

    The performing arts auditorium at Kearney High School first opened in 1989 and was overdue for an update. Crews extensively renovated the space. That work included the installation of new seating. They have also modernized the lighting and sound wiring and equipment to meet current standards. This project will help provide outstanding experiences for our theater, choir and band students, in addition to facilitating school- and district-wide events.

  • New KMS Bathrooms

    Our contractors added bathrooms for sixth graders at Kearney Middle School. This project created more equity for that wing of the building compared with the seventh-grade wing. It helps alleviate what had become a bottleneck that caused delays between classes and will improve the culture and climate in the school.

  • KJH Roof and Wall Repairs

    Among the most critical maintenance needs identified during the facilities master planning process was the replacement of the roof at Kearney Junior High. In addition, crews also reinforced the foundation of the building’s A Wing and repaired wall cracks. Although neither of these projects will necessarily be noticed by the general public, they are nonetheless very important in terms of being good stewards of our facilities and maintaining our infrastructure in a responsible manner.

  • Kearney Elementary Improvements

    Two young people write on a large metal structure with markers outdoors.

    • New Kearney Elementary School library on the first floor of the building to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
    • Promote equity across the district by adding technology, collaboration and meeting spaces

     

  • Dogwood Elementary Improvements

    A group of children and an adult in safety gear stand near a table outdoors.

    • Additional technology, collaboration and meeting spaces
    • Upgrading the HVAC systems
    • Upgrades to the security systems (including adding cameras)

  • Hawthorne Elementary Improvements

    Two construction workers examine a steel beam at a construction site.

    • Additional technology, collaboration and meeting spaces
    • Upgrading the HVAC systems
    • Upgrades to the security systems (including adding cameras)

  • Southview Elementary Improvements

    Children write on a long white surface outdoors, with others watching in the background.

    • Additional technology, collaboration and meeting spaces
    • Upgrading the HVAC systems
    • Upgrades to the security systems (including adding cameras)

  • Every few years, KSD updates its districtwide facilities master plan in order to protect our community’s investment in our schools. Updated plans address building needs for learning purposes and emphasize keeping the district's aging facilities maintained and in good repair.

    The last facilities master plan was supported by our residents with a $27 million zero-tax-rate-increase bond issue that was approved by voters in April 2017 to fund updates and improvements included in the plan. The district maintained the debt service levy (the portion of its tax rate that can only be used for paying off bond issue debt) unchanged at $1.19 per $100 of assessed value.

    KSD leaders worked with parents and staff for about a year as part of the Long-Range Facilities Planning committee to develop a new districtwide facilities plan to ensure that schools are well-maintained and continue to meet the educational needs of their students. Enrollment trends indicate the district may need additional capacity for students in pre-K through fifth grade. In addition, the committee identified a need for improvements across the district to facilitate 21st-century teaching and learning for all students.

    The current debt service levy rate was extended since Prop B was approved by KSD residents on April 5, 2022.

  • LINK – Telephone Survey