My name is J.D. Johnson. I am a local real estate agent with SalinaHomes.com and current president of the Great Plains Association of Realtors MLS. The Great Plains Association of Realtors (GPAR) proudly serves the communities of Salina, Great Bend, Russell, and all areas in between. I have been a Realtor for 10 years and have helped clients buy/sell real estate all over the state of Kansas.
I am writing you in regards to the upcoming vote on August 1st that deals with the disorganization of USD 112.
After having sat in on multiple informational meetings throughout the area, listening to Kansas State Department of Education representatives, and even listening to surrounding school boards’ opinions on the subject, it is my personal and professional opinion that a “NO Vote” is a clear answer on what is best for our local communities.
A “Yes Vote”, disorganizing USD 112 and closing all schools within the district Wilson Elementary, Central Plains Elementary and Central Plains Jr./Sr. High School, would be absolutely devastating to all local businesses and economies within the district and in surrounding communities.
In addition, almost all patrons would see a drastic increase in taxes due to the surrounding school districts’ much higher mill levies.
One important factor that I feel hasn’t been discussed or brought up enough when considering a Yes or No vote is the current real estate markets around the district.
If the “Yes Vote” were to be successful, many unintended consequences would occur: Wilson Elementary in Wilson, Central Plains Elementary in Holyrood, and Central Plains Junior High/High School would all be closed on July 1, 2024. This would displace over 504 students who would then be assigned to surrounding districts. This would also cause 107 staff/employees to lose their jobs entirely. You would then see a mass exodus of people and families moving and leaving the area. Many would be in search of new jobs and some would be in search of new school districts that the families would be choosing rather than the state.
Regardless the reason, you will see many homes in all of these communities quickly become vacant. Now the question is, “Who will move into and fill these vacant homes?”
With each and every one of these communities now without a school nor a school with 5-10 miles, all are now much less desirable for new residents with children and families. Many of these vacant homes would most likely remain vacant or become rentals, both would drastically hurt and impact the local real estate markets.
There are other avenues less drastic that can be taken to separate the communities in USD 112 (land transfers, lobbying to the state to adopt new policies that allows schools to separate peacefully, etc.) this does not involve destroying the entire area’s economic and real estate market. Everyone must think of the future of these communities and the families and children involved.
- J.D. Johnson, Odin, Kansas