After past defeat, Waverly school board discusses possible slimmed-down bond issue

WAVERLY, Neb. (KLKN) – The Waverly school board discussed the idea of a new bond issue on Monday after voters rejected last year’s $90 million proposal.

The district is trying to find a way to complete what it says are much-needed upgrades while also keeping the community happy.

“What we brought you tonight is hopefully some simplified ideas on this really big piece of what we’ve been talking about for a number of years,” Superintendent Cory Worrell said.

SEE ALSO: Voters overwhelmingly reject $90 million Waverly school bond issue

One of the biggest costs on the previous bond issue was heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades.

“Our high school HVAC, we are pushing 27 years now, and that is literally kind of limping along as we speak,” Worrell said.

The board said it has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on repairs to the old HVAC system just in the past year.

Another priority is improving school safety. The board is considering whether to add double door entries, stronger glass and better camera systems.

The district also hopes to add space in both the middle and high school buildings.

“The biggest thing at the high school is the configuration of our classrooms,” Worrell said.

Some of the members discussed improvements for the band rooms, theater, weight room and locker rooms.

Part of the discussion centered around how much this will cost.

The district was able to get some of the items in the last bond issue taken care of in other ways.

“What I got from the last vote, and what I heard from community members was, ‘Too many wants,'” board member Cole Stark said.

The board said it’s trying to slash as many costs as it can and will have a new total in the coming weeks.

“We are still simply trying to wade through all of the information that’s out there,” Worrell said.

At this point, the board hasn’t decided whether to create a new bond issue to place in front of voters.

The discussion is in its early stages, and the district hopes to get feedback from the community.