If you've driven around the Goddard Public Schools District community recently, you've likely noticed an increase in housing developments under construction. This summer, the District partnered with Davis Demographics to forecast enrollment for the next decade. They identified 53 separate housing developments with over 5,900 residential units planned. Their findings suggest significant growth for Goddard schools—an increase of 1,000 students in the next five years, and 2,000 students over the next 10 years. This represents more than a 30% increase from our current student population of 6,300.

Generations before have consistently invested in excellent educational spaces and facilities to support world-class instruction for students in Goddard Public Schools. These investments have continued to attract new families that want the small-town feel but also provide their kids with the best educational opportunities possible. This projected growth in student population over the next decade has presented our school community with a challenge. The capacity of schools and classrooms across the District will shortly surpass their optimal level for learning and will need the community’s help in determining the future of what the next investment in education will be.

Over 300 District patrons were presented with this information at the July Community Education Retreat. On September 30, 2024, the USD 265 Bond Steering Committee, made up of over 50 community leaders, families, and educators, came together to begin developing a bond proposal to address the District's future facility needs. The Bond Steering Committee is co-chaired by Lindsay White, Jessica Holle, Ashley Miller, and Travis Rink. With assistance from Schaefer Architecture, in the coming months, the USD 265 Bond Steering Committee will continue to collect community input on the bond proposal. The Steering Committee will utilize the input from the community to help shape what this bond proposal will include. Steering Committee Co-Chair Lindsay White said, “Our first objective is to go out into the community and listen. When you have an opportunity to engage in this conversation, I encourage everyone to participate.”

The Steering Committee will review and prioritize projects, creating a bond proposal package for the Goddard USD 265 Board of Education's consideration. If the Board approves, the bond proposal will proceed to an election. All USD 265 District patrons will have the opportunity to cast their vote, collectively shaping the District's future for generations to come.

As potential projects for new facilities and improvements to existing ones are developed, we encouraged staff, families, and community members to participate in Evaluation Team meetings. Through regular meetings and community feedback, the Steering Committee is identifying and prioritizing essential improvements and next steps. Three Evaluation Team meetings were held, open to public participation, to gather additional feedback. An additional 85 people were in attendance between all three meetings.

Early Childhood Education and Elementary (PreK - 4th Grades) Evaluation Team

• 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 at Oak Street Elementary (501 N. Oak St. Goddard, KS 67052)

Intermediate, Middle, & High Schools (5th - 12th Grades) and Activity Facilities Evaluation Team 

• 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 7th, 2024 at the District Conference Center (315 S. Main St. Goddard, KS 67052)

Safety, Operations, and Traffic Evaluation Team

• 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 at the District Conference Center (315 S. Main St. Goddard, KS 67052)