Bond Proposal
What This Bond Means for Taxpayers
If approved, the bond would fund facility improvements across USD 270 schools. The estimated tax impact depends on property type, property value, and which ballot question(s) are approved.
To help residents understand potential impacts, the District has prepared example cost estimates for homeowners, commercial property owners, and agricultural landowners. These examples show estimated annual, monthly, and daily costs.
Understanding the Two-Question Ballot
The bond proposition is presented as a two-question ballot. Each question addresses a different group of projects.
Question 1 (Q1) focuses on facility and major building systems replacements and improvements.
Question 2 (Q2) includes additional projects that enhance functionality, instructional spaces, and long-term flexibility.
Voters may approve Question 1, both, or neither question. Question 2 is contingent upon Question 1 passing.
Approval of Q1 alone results in an estimated 1-mill increase. Approval of both Q1 and Q2 results in a combined estimated 10-mill increase (1 mill + 9 mills).
Why does the district need to borrow money for facility improvements?
Large facility projects, such as roofs, HVAC systems, and electrical upgrades, require significant one-time costs. Kansas law limits bond funds to capital improvements only, while Capital Outlay funding—capped at 8 mills—is used for routine maintenance and smaller projects and is not sufficient to address multiple major system replacements at once. Borrowing through a bond allows the district to spread these costs over time and complete necessary improvements in a coordinated and responsible manner.
The bond proposal is presented as two separate ballot questions. Each question has a different estimated impact on the mill levy. Select a section below to view homeowner cost examples.
How the Two-Question Ballot Affects Homeowners
- If only Question 1 is approved, the estimated impact is a 1-mill increase.
- If both Question 1 and Question 2 are approved, the combined estimated impact is a 10-mill increase (1 mill for Question 1 and 9 mills for Question 2).
The cost examples below reflect these two scenarios.
Annual Estimated Cost (Homeowners)
| Home Value | Q1 Only (1 mill) | Q1 + Q2 (10 mills) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $5.75 | $57.50 |
| $75,000 | $8.63 | $86.25 |
| $100,000 | $11.50 | $115.00 |
| $150,000 | $17.25 | $172.50 |
| $200,000 | $23.00 | $230.00 |
Monthly Estimated Cost (Homeowners)
| Home Value | Q1 Only (1 mill) | Q1 + Q2 (10 mills) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $0.48 | $4.79 |
| $75,000 | $0.72 | $7.19 |
| $100,000 | $0.96 | $9.58 |
| $150,000 | $1.44 | $14.38 |
| $200,000 | $1.92 | $19.17 |
Daily Estimated Cost (Homeowners)
| Home Value | Q1 Only (1 mill) | Q1 + Q2 (10 mills) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $0.02 | $0.16 |
| $75,000 | $0.02 | $0.24 |
| $100,000 | $0.03 | $0.32 |
| $150,000 | $0.05 | $0.47 |
| $200,000 | $0.06 | $0.63 |
Additional Context
- Existing mill levy: 5.719
- Projected mill levy if Q1 passes: 6.719
- Projected mill levy if Q1 + Q2 pass: 15.719
- Median home value in Rooks County: $88,200
These estimates are provided for informational purposes only. Actual tax impacts may vary based on property valuation and other factors.
BALLOT Question LANGUAGE
Proposition No. 1:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 270, Rooks County, Kansas (Plainville) (the “District”) be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,490,000 (the “Bonds”) to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip: (a) improvements and renovations to Plainville Elementary School and Plainville High School, including HVAC, electrical, lighting, roof, restroom, and interior and exterior building improvements; and (b) all improvements related thereto (the “Project”); and pay costs of issuance and interest on the Bonds during construction of the Project, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10‑101 et seq., K.S.A. 25‑2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72‑5458 et seq.?
Proposition No. 2:
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall Unified School District No. 270, Rooks County, Kansas (Plainville) (the “District”) be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,055,000 (the “Bonds”) to pay the costs to construct, furnish and equip: (a) improvements and renovations to Plainville Elementary School and Plainville High School, including classroom and entrance improvements; (b) improvements and renovations to Rock Gym and Cardinal Gym; and (c) all improvements related thereto (the “Project”); and pay costs of issuance and interest on the Bonds during construction of the Project, all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 10‑101 et seq., K.S.A. 25‑2018(f), K.S.A. 72‑5457, and K.S.A. 72‑5458 et seq.?