2025 Bond Information

In December 2024, Piper Unified School District 203 partnered with ExcellenceK12 to conduct a telephone survey of 300 randomly selected registered voters within the district. The survey aimed to assess community perceptions of the district’s performance and priorities. The results reaffirm that Piper USD 203 is excelling in multiple areas and enjoys strong support from its stakeholders.

There were 11 factors measured with a 5-point weighted scale—where 5.00 = A, 4.00 = B, 3.00 = C, 2.00 = D, and 1.00 = F. We are thrilled to share that the district’s overall performance rating was 4.23. Notably, a perfect score of 5.00 would require unanimous A ratings from all 300 respondents.

The highest-rated areas included:

• Quality of school facilities – 4.55
• Student safety – 4.50
• Quality of education – 4.31
• Technology available to students – 4.31
• Student preparation for college, vocational training, or employment – 4.30

 According to ExcellenceK12, these ratings are among the highest recorded in similar surveys across Kansas and the Midwest.

In addition, respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with key statements regarding Piper USD 203.

• The quality of Piper USD 203 provides a strong foundation for property values in our area – 97% agreement
• It’s important to maintain and update our school buildings to protect our community’s investment – 95% agreement
• Investing in school improvements now will benefit future generations of students and homeowners – 91% agreement
• I’m proud of our schools and support ongoing efforts to keep them in top condition – 88% agreement
• I’m willing to support building improvements to ensure Piper USD 203 offers education equal to or better than neighboring districts – 82% agreement

These results highlight our community’s dedication to maintaining high-quality education and facilities for current and future students. As we continue planning for the future, we invite you to learn more about the Future Ready Phase 2 Bond Election, which will be held on April 15, 2025.

Community forums will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | ZOOM (More Details to Come)

Monday, April 7, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Creek Elementary

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Prairie Elementary

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Middle School

Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper High School

We encourage all residents to attend a forum, ask questions, and engage in discussions about the future of Piper USD 203. Your input and support are vital to ensuring continued success for our students and schools.

Thank you for being a valued part of Pirate Nation!

The Future Ready Phase 2 Bond Election is a $32.5 million proposal designed to enhance Piper USD 203 facilities and accommodate the district's continued growth. The bond will fund improvements in school buildings, technology upgrades, land acquisition for future expansion, and facility enhancements that support students and staff.

This proposal follows the successful Future Ready Phase 1 Bond, which led to the construction of the new Piper High School and improvements in other district facilities.

The election will be held on April 15, 2025.

The district has scheduled several community forums to discuss the bond proposal:

• Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Virtual via ZOOM (Details below)

  • https://piperschools.zoom.us/j/95444886693?pwd=0rfyxyBa71vuWNWJ89DNcUhnm0EGFX.1

• Monday, April 7, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Creek Elementary
• Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Prairie Elementary
• Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper Middle School
• Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 6 - 7 PM | Piper High School
• Monday, April 14, 2025 | 12 - 1 PM | ZOOM (Details Below)
  • https://piperschools.zoom.us/j/93148763545?pwd=fGRoLwGX3YBz9GAel3XasbJ4YRw5aS.1

These forums are opportunities for residents to ask questions and engage in discussions about the district's future. 

What did the $64 million Bond Campaign include:

Here is a graphic that was presented to the community in January 2020.

Because our community said yes, we have been able to accomplish the checked items above.

What campus athletics upgrades does the current bond cover?

• Competition Ready Turf Varsity Baseball Complex

• Competition-Ready Turfed Varsity Softball Complex

• South Athletic Building

  • Locker Rooms

  • Public Bathrooms

  • Concession stand for varsity baseball and softball complex

• All-Sport, State of the Art, Practice Facility

  • Track with grass infield and separate field events facility

  • Practice turfed football field

  • Practice grass soccer field

Will we need a second bond to be passed?

The two-step bond approach was presented to the community during the initial campaign proposal and the following graphics were shown:

Additionally, factors including Economic Instability, Construction Market Volatility, Labor Shortages, Supply Chain Issues, Inflation Rates and Construction Materials have played a role in this plan.

What will a new bond include?

• Land acquisition for 3rd elementary school

• New Piper Creek exterior enhancements

• Complete Piper High School soccer, football and track complexes

Proposed Bond Terms & Interest Payments 

• The new bond would have a 30-year term.
   
• In 2026, the District plans to pay interest only on the new bonds.
   
• Starting in 2027, the District will make both principal and interest payments annually for the remainder of the bond term.

If the bond election passes, the annual interest payment on all outstanding bonds in 2026 is estimated to be between $6.49 million and $6.76 million, depending on the interest rate received on the new bonds.

Regarding project management, we are maintaining a structured oversight process and we remain committed to ensuring qualified professionals are engaged throughout the implementation of bond projects. Oversight of the bond projects is guided through a collaborative approach in our Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meetings. The owner’s team—consisting of the superintendent, director of facilities, director of business and identified BOE members—works closely to ensure projects are managed effectively and align with the district’s priorities.

The decision to build separate facilities for track, soccer, and football was established as part of the 2022 Bond, which was approved by our community. The infrastructure for these facilities has already been built and paid for, and the 2025 Bond will complete the stadiums as originally designed.

We recognize the importance of being fiscally responsible, especially given the rising costs of construction in recent years. However, this plan was developed with long-term growth and equity in mind. By providing dedicated spaces for each sport, we ensure that all student-athletes have access to high-quality facilities without scheduling conflicts that can arise when multiple programs share one field.

Additionally, while maintaining multiple facilities does require resources, the investment aligns with our district’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all athletic programs. The cost of consolidating into a single complex at this stage would not result in the savings one might expect, given that much of the infrastructure is already in place.

Property taxes can only be collected from property owners who already live in those homes. At this time, the proposed developments have not been built, so they are not yet contributing to our tax base.

Future developments may provide additional revenue, but those funds cannot be collected or allocated until the homes are constructed and occupied. The current bond proposal is based on the tax base as it exists today, ensuring we can meet the needs of our students without relying on uncertain future growth.

Approximately $42,445,70 of interest will be paid on this loan and $32,500,000 will go towards principal. The total amount paid over 30 years is approximately $74,945,750.

It’s common for interest to exceed the principal in a 30-year borrowing. For example, a $300,000 mortgage at a 6.75% interest rate over 30 years results in more than $400,000 in interest.

Typically, the Bond and Interest Fund mill levy will increase in the fiscal year immediately following the passage of a bond election and will fall in subsequent years as the assessed valuation of the District grows.  However, this pattern could change for to a variety reasons including adjustments to state aid rates, adjustments to cash basis reserve, assessed valuation growth lower than projected, and use of the B&I Fund to stabilize the total mill levy rate.

A 5% interest rate was assumed on the future bond issue.  Yes, detailed mill levy projections were prepared.

The new bond issue is projected to increase the Bond & Interest levy by 2.412 mills.

When a school district issues bonds there are often additional monies generated above the original principal amount of the bonds.  One such addition source of funds is interest earnings from the investment of the bond proceeds during the construction of the project.  The other source is premiums that might be generated from the sale of certain bonds at prices above their stated maturity amounts.  Both of these other sources of funds can be used to pay project costs or to reduce the B&I Fund mill levy.  The exact amount of these additional sources of funds can not be determined until the time that the bonds are sold and the projects constructed.