A School Bond Issue may be in the works for Osawatomie. The bond projects include the shared Trojan Elementary and Swenson Early Childhood Education Center, Osawatomie Middle School and Osawatomie High School. According to the Miami County Republic, many of the projects are related to the district’s aging facilities. Replacing the boilers at each building was one of the top priorities. The boiler at Trojan is 30 years old, the middle school’s is 40, and the boiler at the high school is the original from 1969. Also, securing the entrance at the Trojan and Swenson Building as well as adding locks to classroom doors.
The high school has many issues… a deteriorating track and aging stadium, windows, electrical system, restrooms, science rooms, and auditorium and stage areas that need upgrading, among other items.
Osawatomie School Board members have all agreed they want the bond to be a no-tax-increase proposal to voters, which means the bond would need to be capped at about $20 million to replace three existing bond payments, one of which is set to be paid off in 2025, with the other two being paid off in 2028.
