What is on the ballot?
In November 2026, voters will decide on a $36 million bond for Hutchinson Public Schools. It would be paid off over 12 years.
Will this raise my taxes?
No. The bond is set up so that the current mill levy rate for taxpayers does not go up.
How is this different from the 2025 bond?
The 2025 proposal, which did not pass, asked for $109.5 million over 25 years. The 2026 bond is about one-third of that amount and runs for less than half as long. It covers the most urgent safety and building needs first.
What will the bond pay for?
About $29.8 million goes directly to projects after professional services are paid.
Why these projects?
The district assessed the condition of every building, and each project comes from those assessments. Safety comes first. Aging roofs, HVAC systems and outdated security are not flashy, but keeping students and staff safe is the district's legal and moral duty.
Is the bond the only funding source?
No. The bond would provide about $29.8 million for projects, after professional service fees and other costs. Separately, the district plans to commit about $29.16 million from its capital outlay fund to other projects over the next 10 years.
Capital outlay projects are separate from bond projects, and no project is funded by both. Some projects on the two lists are similar in scope but are at different buildings. For example, the bond would cover roof repairs and replacements at eight buildings, and capital outlay would cover roofs at five other buildings.
If the bond passes, bond funds would be available for projects after the bonds are sold. Capital outlay is part of the district's existing annual budget, is limited to 8 mills, and does not require a vote. Capital outlay funds are spent as they are collected each year.
Capital outlay projects include:
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a planned HVAC replacement program ($17.8M)
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roofs ($4.64M)
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athletics, including Don Michael complex and locker room upgrades ($2.75M)
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interior and other work ($2.12M)
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playgrounds ($1.3M)
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cameras and security ($550K)
Which schools benefit?
All of them. The plan covers elementary, middle and high school buildings and program options.
How does this connect to student achievement?
Every dollar ties back to the district's 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. The district is already seeing results:
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The graduation rate rose from 86% to 91.2%.
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Chronic absenteeism fell from 30.6% to 18.8%.
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3rd grade reading rose from 50% to 60%.
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Grade 10 scores reached a district record high.
How will the community know how the money is spent?
The district will give regular updates to the Board and the community on each project's status, spending and completion.
Does the community support this approach?
In a community survey by Discovery Works Collaborative, 74.6% of likely November voters said they favor a bond with no tax rate increase.
Get in Touch
Have questions about the 2026 bond proposal? Our district office is here to help you understand the details of the bond proposal.
Office
1520 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone
(620) 615-4000