Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for voters in the Wanette School District to decide on two proposed bond issues that would allow for improvements across the campus and the purchase of buses.
Voters also will decide on a proposed millage increase for the support of public libraries within Pottawatomie County.
The first proposition on the ballot for the Wanette School District would, if passed, allow the district to issue bonds in the amount of $235,000. Superintendent Rick Riggs said the funds would allow for roof repairs to several buildings, better heating and air conditioning units and maintenance equipment.
“The roofs would be our first priority,” Riggs said.
The flat roof on the elementary school has been repaired several times because of weather damage.
“They hold and retain water when it rains,” Riggs said. “You can only repair them so many times.”
The funds also would allow for repairs to the cafeteria, the gymnasium floor and would allow for the purchase of new playground equipment. Many of the district’s heating and air conditioning units are beyond repair, Riggs said, and need to be replaced.
The district also would look into purchasing a commercial lawn mower for field maintenance.
The second proposition on the ballot for the Wanette School District would, if passed, allow the district to issue bonds in the amount of $265,000. These funds would be used to purchase transportation equipment.
“We are leasing buses,” Riggs said. “So, we would like to purchase buses so it wouldn’t be so expensive to the district.”
If passed, the bonds would make for a slight increase in property taxes within the district.
Voters will vote on a proposed millage increase to support libraries in Pottawatomie County operated by the Pioneer Library System.
These libraries included those in Shawnee, Tecumseh and McLoud.
“This vote is to provide money to operate the libraries,” said Tom Terry, chairman of the committee in support of the millage increase.
An ad valorem tax levy of four mills per dollar is already in place for the operation of the libraries, and the proposition would increase it to six mills per dollar. This is the maximum allowed under state law, Terry said.
Terry said the funds generated by the increase would support the libraries with personnel and materials.
The last increase took place in 1992, and since that time the cost for materials has at least doubled and the usage of libraries has gone up by 60 percent, Terry said.
There are more than 60 computers in use at the Shawnee Library, he said.
“Naturally, they have to be replaced from time to time,” Terry said. “It’s just time to increase the amount.
Voters who wish to vote by absentee ballot can still do so from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.
A two-person, bi-partisan absentee voting board will be on duty at the Pottawatomie County Election Board, located in the courthouse in Shawnee, 325. N. Broadway.
“In-person absentee voters will fill out an application form when they get to the office,” Knight said. “They are not required to give a reason for voting absentee. They are required to swear that they have not voted a regular mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling places on election day.”
For more information, call the election board office at (405) 273-8376.
