FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The election will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and will be open to all registered voters in the USD 350 district. Early voting will begin October 15 at the Stafford County Courthouse. On election day, voters can cast their ballot at their typical precinct locations. The last day to register to vote to participate in this election is October 14.
The bond request is $17,900,000.
A bond is a state-approved funding process for a set scope of projects. When voters approve a bond, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the proceeds of the sale to pay for those projects in the bond. In many ways, the bonding process is like a homeowner obtaining a mortgage and making payments over a period of years. School bond elections require a simple majority to pass (50 percent plus one).
Bond funds can only be used for constructing, equipping, maintaining and furnishing district facilities. This makes bond funds different from the district's operating funds that are used to pay salaries, textbooks and other day-to-day expenses. Bond funds can only be used for brick-and-mortar projects and cannot be legally used for anything else. This is an important distinction to remember. Bond funds and operational/salary funds are separate, and according to state law, these funds cannot be used interchangeably.
The anticipated construction phase for the bond project is July 2026 – December 2027.
The bond will fund secure entrances at all schools, a FEMA-rated storm shelter, right-sized classrooms, ADA accessibility improvements, updated cafeteria and kitchen facilities, and essential upgrades to heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems. Together, these projects will ensure safer, more efficient, and more functional learning environments for students and staff.
While patchwork repairs can provide short-term relief, they do not address the root problems and often lead to higher costs over time. A comprehensive bond project allows the district to make lasting improvements all at once, avoiding repeated disruptions and escalating expenses.
The bond will strengthen safety across the district by installing secure front entry systems at each school, constructing a FEMA-rated storm shelter for all students and staff, and upgrading fire alarms and security systems. It will also connect buildings with interior corridors so students no longer need to move between classes outdoors, reducing daily risks and ensuring schools are better prepared for emergencies.
Many of our school facilities are reaching the end of their service life, with outdated heating, cooling, and electrical systems, crowded classrooms, and entrances that no longer meet today’s safety and accessibility standards. Addressing these needs now ensures students have safe and supportive spaces without delay and helps the district avoid higher costs that come with waiting.
Reliable heating and cooling systems, improved lighting, and right-sized classrooms create environments where students can focus and teachers can teach effectively. Updated cafeteria and kitchen facilities will streamline meal service, allowing more time for instruction.
The one-percent sales tax proposal reduces the burden of the bond on property owners by allowing the cost to be shared with others who come into our community and spend money. The 1% sales tax would reduce the required mill rate for the bonds by an estimated 3.5 mills, if approved by City voters. In real terms, on a $100,000 home the average monthly tax increase would be $23.96 with the 1% sales tax and $27.31 without the 1% sales tax.​ If the school improvement bond is not approved by district voters, the City sales tax will not be implemented.
There are two questions because there are two government entities involved; city and school. However, only voters who live within St. John city limits will see two questions - one about approving general obligation bonds for $17.9 million dollars and a second question approving a 1% sales tax to assist with paying off the general obligation bond. Those who live outside St. John city limits, but still reside within the USD 350 school district, will only vote for the school bond issue. The school bond can pass with or without the sales tax question passing.
A mill is $1 of tax on each $1,000 of assessed valuation on property in the District. The bonds will require a mill rate estimated at 28.5 mills—added taxes on a $100,000 home of $27.31 per month. If the school bond and City 1% sales tax are both approved, the required mill rate is estimated at 25 mills—added taxes on a $100,000 home of $23.96 per month. For more information on how the bond would affect residential, commercial, and agricultural property, see the full Taxpayer Cost Analysis at USD350Facilities.com.
Unlike most districts, USD 350 has no existing bonded indebtedness.
Yes, please contact them anytime by either reaching out directly or submitting questions on the contact page at USD350facilities.com.
After the bond is passed, the first phase is Design Development/Construction Engineering, and Bidding/Contracting which should be complete by July of 2026. Construction would then commence, and complete in December of 2027.
For those that live within the St. John city limits will see two questions on the ballot: the first will determine whether the bond will move forward, and the second will determine whether the bond will be repaid in part by a sales tax in St. John. Those that live outside St. John, but still reside within the USD 350 school district, will only see the school bond issue on the ballot.​
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Question 1: Should USD 350 issue a school facilities bond?​
Shall Unified School District No. 350, Stafford County, Kansas (St. John-Hudson), issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $17,900,000 to pay the costs to acquire, construct, equip and install additions, renovations and improvements (a) to the district junior/senior high school building, including a new secure entrance and office space addition at the north end of the building, a new physical education classroom with bleacher seating and locker rooms adjacent to the existing main gymnasium, west high school classroom renovations for ADA compliance, HVAC and electrical upgrades, new kitchen and concessions area and renovated cafeteria, and building exterior and interior finish improvements; and (b) to the district elementary school building, including a new secure entrance, office space, classrooms, and restrooms addition at the south end of the building, a corridor connection to Ida Long library for security purposes, classroom renovations for larger classrooms, HVAC and electrical upgrades, building exterior and interior finish improvements and lockers in hallway for upper elementary grades; to pay the costs to construct a FEMA​
shelter addition for all junior/high school and elementary school students and staff; to pay the costs to make related site and utility improvements and all other necessary and related improvements; and to pay financing costs related to the bonds; 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.?​
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Question 2: Should the City of St. John implement at 1% sales tax to help fund bond repayment?​
​Shall the City of St. John, Kansas, be authorized, to impose a one percent (1%) citywide general purpose retailer's sales tax in the City of St. John on the terms below; the sales tax shall only be implemented upon the approval of district electors of a proposition authorizing the issuance of the district bonds at an election held on November 4, 2025; with the collection of the sales tax to commence on April 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as permitted by law, and to expire on March 30, 2051; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended?
If approved the proceeds of the one percent (1%) citywide general purpose retailer's sales tax shall be divided as follows:
(a) One-tenth (1/10) of one percent (0.1%) to the City of St. John for the purposes of funding general services of the City, including but not limited to economic development projects and city infrastructure; and(b) Nine-tenths (9/10) of one percent (0.9%) to Unified School District No. 350, Stafford County, Kansas (St. John - Hudson) (the "District") to assist the District in the repayment of the principal of and interest on district general obligation bonds (the “District Bonds") issued to pay costs to acquire, construct, equip and install additions, renovations and improvements (i) to the District junior/senior high school building, including a new secure entrance and office space addition at the north end of the building, a new physical education classroom with bleacher seating and locker rooms adjacent to the existing main gymnasium, west high school classroom renovations for ADA compliance, HVAC and electrical upgrades, new kitchen and concessions area and renovated cafeteria, and building exterior and interior finish improvements; (ii) to the District elementary school building, including a new secure entrance, office space, classrooms, and restrooms addition at the south end of the building, a corridor connection to Ida Long Library for security purposes, classroom renovations for larger classrooms, HVAC and electrical upgrades, building exterior and interior finish improvements and lockers in hallway for upper elementary grades; and to construct a FEMA shelter addition for all junior/high school and elementary school students and staff.
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The total bond proposal is $17.9 million. Major components include:
North Entrance, Offices, Kitchen, Concessions – $1.18M (6.6%)
South Classrooms & Library Connection – $3.69M (20.6%)
Locker Room Addition – $1.4M (7.9%)
New Medium Secondary Gym (Seats 500) – $2.89M (16.1%)
South Classroom Wing Remodeling – $3.13M (17.5%)
West Classroom Wing Remodeling – $2.97M (16.6%)
Cafeteria Remodeling – $1.25M (7.0%)
The new gym will be 75% larger than the existing secondary/elementary gym and will provide 50% more seating capacity. Seating will also be upgraded with patron-friendly mid-rails and handicap-compliant spaces within the bleacher sections.
This addition will double practice capacity, making it possible to hold practices and games at the same time. The current gym will still be used for some activities, but it isn’t suitable for KSHSAA sanctioned postseason play—its ceiling is too low for volleyball, and the basketball court has a restraining line.
All areas being remodeled will receive new HVAC systems. In addition, the project includes plumbing and electrical upgrades as needed, such as:
New lighting and added outlets in remodeled areas
Electrical service upgrades where required
Modernized systems to support renovated spaces
Keep in mind, not every part of the building is included in these updates. You can see which areas are covered in the project layout here: View Project Layout.
The current 1% sales tax for the grocery store will end on December 31, 2026. If approved, the new 1% sales tax for the school bond project would begin on April 1, 2026, creating a nine-month overlap (April–December 2026) where both are collected. After December 31, 2026, only the school bond sales tax would continue.
Yes! You can view a preliminary debt service schedule at the link below. It outlines the estimated breakdown of principal and interest payments based on current projections.
Please keep in mind that this is only an estimate — the final financing details will be finalized 2–3 months after the election.
The mill levy (tax rate) is directly linked to the total assessed valuation of the school district. When property valuations increase, the mill rate needed to make bond payments can go down. If valuations decrease, the mill rate may need to rise to generate the same amount of revenue.
Over the past decade, USD 350’s assessed valuation has increased by an average of 2.84% per year, and by 4.47% per year over the last five years. While there are normal year-to-year changes, the long-term trend shows steady growth in property values across the district.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to one of our district leaders or member of the board of education.​