Giltner Public Schools finalizing bond issue proposal for school addition

GILTNER, Neb. - A central Nebraska school district is working to get plans for an addition approved by the school board and sent to voters.

The Giltner Public Schools Board of Education is considering an addition to the current school building that administrators say is urgently in need of space. 

Part of the elementary school was built in 1954. The kitchen is small, and students eat lunch in the gym.

Superintendent Dr. Nick Mumm said they started planning for the addition last year and that it's a necessary step for the school.

“A lot of it has to do with, we have outgrown our space," Mumm said. "We've really grown, our enrollment has grown a lot over the last three or four years. It continues to grow. The projected numbers say it’s going to continue to grow.”

What was initially going to be a $21.7 million bond issue, has been reduced twice already and is expected to shrink again at the board's upcoming meeting. Right now, it's at $11.56 million. 

“It has just been downsized to meet the current needs and separate some of the things that maybe were going to push that project too high at the time,” Mumm said. 

Plans include space for locker rooms for kids, three daycare classrooms, four more classrooms, a kitchen, a commons area, and more. 

“It’s always what’s best for our kids, more opportunities for kids to grow, more space for our staff to teach. I think it’s great for our community," Mumm said. "Giltner is not only a growing district, we want to be a growing community and work hand-in-hand together so it enhances it.”

The next school board meeting is on Wednesday. If approved by the board, the bond issue would go to voters in May.