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School bond issue

Voters went to the polls April 1 and rejected a $59 million bond issue on a vote of 8,712 to 6,940. Legally, the school board can't put another bond before voters for at least 60 days, or until June. Outgoing school board member Mary Loveland said she would be willing to bring an alternative bond issue to a public vote in August. If limited to secondary school projects from the defeated bond, it would total $46 million. .

What was in the defeated the bond issue?

• Elementary schools: $12.8 million. There is $9.2 million to expand Cordley and New York schools to handle students from Centennial and East Heights schools, which would be closed along with Riverside School. Improvements to Broken Arrow, Deerfield, Hillcrest, Kennedy, Quail Run, Sunset Hill and Wakarusa Valley schools would cost $3.6 million.

• Junior high schools: $30.2 million. There is $21.2 million for a new South Junior High School and $9 million for renovation of classrooms at Central and West junior high schools and additions at Southwest Junior High School.

• High schools: $15.7 million. This sets aside $8.9 million to renovate Lawrence High School; and $6.8 million expand Lawrence Alternative High School.

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Below are recent stories about the bond issue.

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City passes $63M bond issues
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Lawrence voters Tuesday approved a $54 million bond issue aimed at renovating, expanding and replacing buildings throughout the school district.

School bonds return to ballot
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Two years ago, Jim Mullins' anti-tax sentiments prevailed. Lawrence voters rejected a $59 million bond issue aimed at renovating, expanding or replacing worn-out schools.

School board forum touts bond issues
Wednesday, March 9, 2005
Two multimillion dollar bond issues to improve school district technology and upgrade outmoded facilities are essential if Lawrence schools are going to keep up with education needs, bond supporters said Tuesday night.

District begins sessions promoting bond issues
Friday, March 4, 2005
In April 2003, Lawrence voters rejected a ballot initiative to issue $59 million in bonds to finance school construction. Nearly two years later, education advocates are determined to ensure that two new resolutions don't meet the same fate.

Schools may ask for another $10M for computer upgrades
Thursday, January 27, 2005
A two-part bond issue with $8.9 million for technology will go before Lawrence voters in April, but some Lawrence public schools administrators want an additional $10.3 million, over five years, to improve technology.

Draft of bond proposal up for review
Sunday, January 9, 2005
Lawrence school board members are scheduled to discuss a draft of a resolution authorizing a bond election and the questions that would be on the ballot.

Education, city growth expected to be among big stories in 2005
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Will a new lawsuit opposing the South Lawrence Trafficway be filed in 2005? Will officials finally figure out how they want to plan for the city's growth? Will voters approve bonds to pay for the renovation and reconstruction of aging schools?

District to keep pushing until school needs met
Monday, December 20, 2004
Despite continuing public complaints over school closings and voter rejection of a bond issue in 2003, Lawrence school board members say they are ready to take a new bond proposal to the public.

School fails at every turn
Monday, November 22, 2004
Janice Fullerton's students at South Junior High School work in a room tucked in a dim former storage area behind a moveable panel that creates a hallway.

Bond plan includes science element
Monday, October 18, 2004
Alan Gleue's classroom looks crowded. So much so, that a person can't help wonder how Gleue teaches physics in the Lawrence High School classroom.

Bond issue discussions to gear up in district
Sunday, October 10, 2004
A keen eye toward planning in the past is putting the Lawrence school district in good standing, financially speaking, to propose a bond issue, financial advisers say.

Chamber retreats from tax support
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Not so fast. The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce's support for a tax increase to better fund public schools isn't quite as solid as it seemed earlier this week.

Forum panelists denounce sales tax for education
Thursday, January 8, 2004
Boosting Douglas County's sales tax to bolster funding for cash-strapped school districts is an incomplete and inadequate solution, members of a panel said Wednesday. The five-member panel organized by the League of Women Voters of Douglas County was unanimous in opposing a proposed half-cent increase in the county's sales tax. If adopted, it would bring in an estimated $5.8 million annually for schools serving Douglas County children.

6News video: League of Women Voters discuss school funding
Thursday, January 8, 2004
The League sponsored a panel to explore the possible ramifications of a local sales tax to fund the schools.

New bond issue may be waiting in wings
Saturday, January 3, 2004
Lawrence school district officials will begin discussing late this spring a new bond issue to finance building improvements, Supt. Randy Weseman said Friday. He said he expected the process to produce a package less costly and complicated than the $59 million proposal rejected by voters in April 2003. That plan included construction or renovation at 15 schools and was mingled with debate about elementary school consolidation.

Board weighs revised bond issue
Sunday, June 29, 2003
Once brave, now shy. Voters' rejection in April of a $59 million bond package for Lawrence school construction and renovation has the school board feeling apprehensive about the pending birth of "Bond Issue Jr."

List of proposed cuts in the Lawrence school budget for 2003-2004
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
The following are proposed cuts under consideration by the Lawrence school board related to the 2003-2004 budget.

School board to regroup for new bond
Monday, April 7, 2003
A revised bond issue for upgrading Lawrence school facilities may be coming soon to a voting booth near you.

6News video: Lawrence school district could propose new bond issue
Friday, April 4, 2003
School superintendent Randy Weseman is used to bond issues being tough sells to the public.

School closings move forward
Thursday, April 3, 2003
The Lawrence school district's boundary committee Wednesday shrugged off the election results and plowed into details of closing East Heights and Centennial schools. At the direction of the school board, committee members sketched new boundaries for five elementary schools that would receive students if the two buildings were closed in May.

6News video: Schools must find way to cope with failure of the bond issue
Thursday, April 3, 2003
South Junior High will not have the money to rebuild, and board members believe another bond issue vote may be necessary.

School bond issue fails
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
It was too big. The numbers didn't add up. It didn't make sense to close schools and build schools at the same time. The timing was bad. The consultants' cut was too big.

6News video: "Vote Yes" campaign spread word on bond
Tuesday, April 1, 2003
6News reports on the volunteers that spent Saturday working for the "Vote Yes" campaign.

Laws limit financing for different school purposes
Monday, March 31, 2003
A school bond to generate money for Lawrence teacher salaries might be popular with voters. Just one problem.

School bond issues find mixed receptions in state
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Shawnee Heights schools Supt. Gary Reynolds felt the sting of school-bond defeat not once, but twice, in the past year.

League lists pros, cons of school bond issue
Sunday, March 30, 2003
The proposed $59 million bond issue for Lawrence public schools voters will find on the Tuesday ballot has been a controversial topic of discussion among residents for the past several months.

School board candidate survey
Sunday, March 30, 2003

Rejection of bond likely won't end effort
Sunday, March 30, 2003
If Lawrence voters reject the school district's proposed $59 million bond issue Tuesday, there is little doubt they'll face a revised bond in the near future.

6News video: Candidates say bond is best for district
Saturday, March 29, 2003
6News reports on Scott Morgan, Sue Morgan, Mary Loveland and Cindy Yulichs' thoughts about the bond issue for the Lawrence school district.

Antibond candidate Pomes says budget mismanaged
Friday, March 28, 2003
If Lawrence doesn't keep its neighborhoods strong, it's not going to keep its schools strong, Michael Pomes contends. "And that has to be our priority," the 40-year-old school board candidate added.

6News video: Four school board candidates form coalition to fight the bond issue
Friday, March 28, 2003
Cillie King, Rich Minder, Leonard Ortiz and Michael Pomes are trying to inform the community that the bond is not the solution for local schools.

Forum voices bond's pros, cons
Thursday, March 27, 2003
A former Lawrence school board president Wednesday said the district was blackmailing voters with an all-or-nothing $59 million school bond. "That's a big mistake," James Hilliard said during a televised bond forum at Liberty Hall sponsored by The World Company.

6News video: School board candidates and bond issue draw public
Thursday, March 27, 2003
The candidates attended a forum to answer questions from voters, and a forum at Liberty Hall focused on the school bond issue.

Chat with Lawrence school board candidate Cindy Yulich
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with <strong>Lawrence school board candidate Cindy Yulich</strong>.The chat took place on Thursday, March 27, at 10:30 AM and is <strong>now closed</strong>, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Bond threatens neighborhoods in East Lawrence, critics charge
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Ed Tato knows that a neighborhood with a school is more attractive than one without a school.

Forum fields questions about bond
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
How do you justify spending nearly $7 million to improve and add to Lawrence Alternative High School?

Chat with Lawrence school board candidate Sue Morgan
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with Lawrence school board candidate Sue Morgan.The chat took place on Wednesday, March 26, at 4:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

6News video: Portables, library part of planned upgrades at LAHS if bond passes
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
6News reports on the upgrades that would be made at Lawrence Alternative High School if the April 1st bond issue passes.

6News video: Candidate defends views on bond issue
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
6News reports on an online chat held Tuesday with school board candidate Mary Loveland.

Centennial patrons question bond, plans to close school
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Patrons and staff at Centennial School expressed skepticism and exasperation Monday for the $59 million school bond issue voters will decide in next week's election.

Chat with Lawrence school board incumbent Mary Loveland
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with Lawrence school board incumbent Mary Loveland. The chat took place on Tuesday, March 25, at 6:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Chat with Lawrence school board candidate Leonard Ortiz
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with Lawrence school board candidate Leonard Ortiz. The chat took place on Tuesday, March 25, at 9:30 AM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Chat with Lawrence school board candidate Rich Minder
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with Lawrence school board candidate Rich Minder. The chat took place on Tuesday, March 25, at 4:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

6News video: Bond would pay for security upgrades at Lawrence High
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
6News reports on some of the upgrades that would be made at Lawrence High School if the April bond vote passes.

Chat with school board candidate Scott Morgan
Monday, March 24, 2003
Welcome to our online chat with school board candidate Scott Morgan. The chat took place on Monday, March 24, at 10:00 AM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

6News video: Salina school district, community happy with bond
Saturday, March 22, 2003
6News reports on the effect a 1998 bond issue had on the Salina school district.

Bond-issue consultant DLR Group has foes, fans
Friday, March 21, 2003
If Lawrence voters approve a $59 million bond issue for school construction, district officials expect to pay an out-of-town consulting firm as much as $3.9 million.

Poll finds support for $59 million school project
Friday, March 21, 2003
A second, unscientific parking-lot sampling of Lawrence residents Thursday found support for the proposed $59 million school bond issue.

6News video: Safety concerns show need for a new South Junior High
Friday, March 21, 2003
Fixing the problems of asbestos, missing doors and portable classrooms is one aim of the bond issue.

6News video: School board candidate Cille King chats with voters
Friday, March 21, 2003
King said she would work to eliminate inefficiencies to help balance the school budget if elected.

6News video: Bond would allow needed improvements at West Junior High
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Structural and mechanical problems, including cracked walls and problematic plumbing, would be addressed with the passage of the bond issue.

Chat with Cille King
Thursday, March 20, 2003

6News video: School still has some original materials
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
6News reports on the repairs and upgrades that would be made at Central Junior High if the April Bond vote passes.

Aging junior highs set sights on $30 million
Monday, March 17, 2003
A massive crack climbs the wall in Room B25 at West Junior High School. "It's pretty bad when you can see into the class next door," West ninth-grader Scott Shreders said. "People pass notes."

6News video: Area elementary schools would benefit from bond
Saturday, March 15, 2003
6News reports on the upgrades four elementary schools would receive if the April bond vote passes.

Hard economic times complicate bond issue
Friday, March 14, 2003
Norm Davidson thinks new and refurbished schools are worth the cost of eating out once a month. George Allen says anything that's going to cost taxpayers $59 million in this economy is a bad idea.

6News video: Sunset Hill seeks expansion
Friday, March 14, 2003
Officials hope to eliminate the need for portable classrooms at the elementary school with the passage of the bond issue.

Sampling reveals mixed public sentiment
Friday, March 14, 2003
A small sampling Thursday showed a mixture of sentiments -- mostly undecided -- about the $59 million bond issue to be put before Lawrence school district patrons on April 1.

6News video: Deerfield Elementary will grow even larger
Thursday, March 13, 2003
When Riverside is closed, the area's largest elementary school will gain nearly fifty new students.

Migration out of city's core raises dilemmas for district
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Bob Blank doesn't need the U.S. Census Bureau to tell him his neighborhood missed out on Lawrence's baby boom of the past few decades.

6News video: Heating, air conditioning only part of needed upgrades at Cordley
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
6News reports on the upgrades that would be made at Cordley Elementary if the April bond vote passes.

Lawrence teachers union endorses bond issue, candidates
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
The union representing Lawrence public school teachers Monday endorsed the district's $59 million bond and four school board candidates supporting the initiative.

6News video: $3.3 million of bond would help upgrade New York Elementary
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
6News reports on the effects upgrades would have on New York Elementary if the April bond vote passes.

More staff layoffs in district's plan
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
There will be dozens of teacher layoffs and a maximum of $4.5 million in program cuts to balance next year's budget in the Lawrence public school district.

6News video: Teachers to support bond
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
6News reports on the decisions made by LEA to support the bond and the pro-bond school board candidates.

Elementary schools face turning point
Monday, March 10, 2003
Gary Johnson sees the $59 million bond issue as a double-edged sword. As principal at East Heights School, he understands it would be in the best interests of the 10,000-student district to finance improvements at 15 of the district's 25 school buildings.

Teachers union prepares to take stand on bond, candidates
Monday, March 10, 2003
The Lawrence teachers union is expected to break its silence today on the proposed $59 million bond for school construction and renovation.

School issues put city at crossroads
Sunday, March 9, 2003
The Lawrence public school district is between a rock and a hard place. Shrinking state financing for public schools and increasing costs are the rock.

Series intended to cast light on ‘critical moment' for city, schools
Sunday, March 9, 2003
It's a critical moment for the city. That's how one Lawrence resident assesses the current community discussion on the future of Lawrence school facilities.

Get involved
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Here's a list of people who play roles in the bond issue, and ways to contact them.

Voters to decide fifth school bond proposal in 13 years
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Nothing inspires voters to go to the polls like talk of closing schools. A close second may be proposals for raising taxes.

Details of April 1 school bond issue laid out
Sunday, March 9, 2003
The bond resolution puts in black and white the Lawrence school board's intent to close Centennial and East Heights schools after bond-financed additions are completed at Cordley and New York schools. In all, $4.6 million would be invested at Cordley and $3.3 million at New York.

This series
Sunday, March 9, 2003
This is the first in a three-week series that will provide information on the proposed Lawrence school bond issue, look at the experiences of other communities and share the perspectives of our neighbors.

Books and Mortar: If bond passes, DLR plans to be around
Saturday, March 8, 2003
6News reports on the DLR group.

School cuts likely at top
Friday, March 7, 2003
A bull's-eye was firmly affixed Thursday to administrative spending in the Lawrence school district. The public school system's budget committee made clear that if deep cuts must occur in 2003-2004, the central office is a prime target.

Books & Mortar: DLR architects discuss their work on Lawrence schools
Friday, March 7, 2003
(Updated Friday at 4:34 p.m.) 6News reporter Sharita Hutton interviews the three architects who were responsible for most of the recent work on Lawrence area schools. Her full report will run Friday on Sunflower Broadband's cable Channel 6 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

6News video: The Lawrence school district needs to cut $4.5 million dollars
Friday, March 7, 2003
The school board will decide what should or should not be cut on Monday, March 10th.

Commission candidates steer clear of school bond issue
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Betty Morris had just cast her primary election ballot last Tuesday at Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship when she was asked what the biggest issue would be in the Lawrence City Commission race.

Official primary results lift Oritz to second place
Friday, February 28, 2003
(Updated Friday at 3:37 p.m.) Provisional and hand-counted ballots lifted Leonard Ortiz to a second-place finish in Tuesday's primary election for the Lawrence school board.

6News video: School board member sends strong message
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
6News reports on Monday nights school board meeting.

Board member: Bond failure won't stop school closures
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Rejection of the Lawrence school board's $59 million bond issue in April won't block elementary school consolidation, the school board's vice president said Monday.

6News video: School board profile - Ron Powell
Friday, February 21, 2003
Powell wants to bring a view of the "whole picture" to the school board.

6News video: Loveland and Powell speak with voters in online chat
Friday, February 21, 2003
The candidates answered questions on staffing concerns, consolidation and the bond issue. Loveland said savings from consolidation would likely go to cover operational costs, while Powell said cleaning out the school district office would save money.

6News video: Yulich and Ortiz speak with voters in online chat
Thursday, February 20, 2003
The candidates expressed their opinions on the bond issue and offered their ideas for improving local schools. Cindy Yulich favors the bond issue, while Leonard Ortiz opposes it.

6News video: School board profile - Michael Pomes
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Pomes wants to be the voice for local neighborhoods on the school board.

Morgan defends bond issue, school consolidation plans
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
(Updated Tuesday at 2:18 p.m.) Sue Morgan's critics claim the Lawrence district's $59 million bond and school consolidation plans are "knee-jerk" and "punitive" solutions worthy of nothing more than contempt.

School programs again face cuts
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Layoffs, bigger classes at secondary schools and elimination of elementary school band are among the budget-cutting ideas expected to be presented today as Lawrence schools look for ways to reduce spending.

Bond opponents question district's Web site content
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Opponents of the Lawrence school board's $59 million bond issue don't think the district is playing fair.

Morgan takes hard-nosed stand supporting bond issue
Friday, February 14, 2003
(Updated Friday at 5:31 p.m.) It's Valentine's Day, but Scott Morgan isn't going to sugar-coat Lawrence school district's challenges.

6News video: Morgan shares thoughts in online chat
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
6News reports on the online chat with School Board President Scott Morgan that was hosted by World Online.

Firms illustrate goals of bond
Sunday, February 9, 2003
Architect John Wilkins says his firm's design for a new South Junior High School eliminates a big mistake of the past.

6News video: School board to get first look at renderings
Sunday, February 9, 2003
6News reports on the designs submitted by architects for some of Lawrences' schools.

6News video: School board candidate Brent Garner
Thursday, February 6, 2003
Garner opposes the school bond issue, but does acknowledge that schools need help.

'Serious discussion' urged as bond vote nears
Wednesday, February 5, 2003
Advance voting starts today, and campaigning for the Lawrence school board and a $59 million school bond issue is moving into high gear.

New group forms to fight bond
Monday, February 3, 2003
A new group wants to strike out the school district's proposed $59 million bond issue.

Bond issue called divisive
Sunday, February 2, 2003
Lawrence school board member Jack Davidson says the plan to consolidate elementary schools and pass a $59 million bond issue for school construction is provoking class conflict.

Even Barbie can pitch in for student fees at auction
Friday, January 31, 2003
Need a mint condition "schoolteacher" Barbie? How about a ticket to the Kansas-Missouri basketball grudge match?

Pro-bond group sees answer in details
Thursday, January 30, 2003
The uphill battle to convince Lawrence voters to approve a $59 million school bond could be won if people took time to scrutinize the details, leaders of a pro-bond group said Wednesday.
"This is not just a matter of bricks and mortar," said Chuck Warner, co-chairman with Judy Wright of Vote Yes for Lawrence Kids.

6News video: The bond issue brings out opposition
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Several different groups are speaking out about school consolidation and bond-issue.

Bond issue faces 'uphill climb' says superintendent
Thursday, January 30, 2003
(Updated Monday at 3:47 p.m.) Lawrence School Supt. Randy Weseman says a lot of work still needs to be done to convince voters to approve a $59 million school bond issue on April 1.

Campaign urges residents to ‘Vote Yes for Kids'
Thursday, January 30, 2003
A group of Lawrence volunteers Wednesday said they would lead a Vote Yes for Lawrence Kids campaign in support of a $59 million public school bond issue.

Anti-bond alliance marshals troops
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Lawrence school board candidates Wednesday began formation of a coalition opposed to consolidation of elementary schools and the district's $59 million bond issue. "We will have to work together as a team -- get elected together as a block -- to be effective," said candidate Michael Pomes, an activist in the Park Hill Neighborhood Assn.

Bond issue approval might lead to early closing of schools
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
(Updated Monday at 3:41 p.m.) The Lawrence school district may temporarily close New York and Cordley elementary schools. But that would occur only if the board's proposed $59 million bond issue is approved by voters April 1.

Bond foes put up fight
Sunday, December 1, 2002
Arly Allen is mapping a strategy to defeat the Lawrence school district's proposed $59 million bond issue.

Board forwards bond proposal
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
A nearly unanimous Lawrence school board agreed Monday to seek voter approval in April of a record $59 million bond issue for school construction and renovation.

6News video: Concerns increase as possible bond vote nears
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
6News reports on Tuesday night's school board meeting.

6News video: School bond issue may become a public vote
Friday, November 8, 2002
Some members of the community have spoken out in support for school closings.