Oakley weighs $28 million plan to rebuild schools

OAKLEY, Kan. (KSNW) — Voters will decide this fall whether to approve nearly $28 million in school improvements that would bring all Oakley students under one roof.

The $27,995,000 proposal would expand the high school into a single PreK–12 campus and demolish the district’s elementary and middle schools.

Julie Crum, USD 274 Superintendent, said the work is badly needed.

“Our middle school is over 100 years old, and it’s got a failing boiler system. Our elementary is about 60 years old, but the HVAC is failing, we have electrical issues, and you can see daylight between some of the bricks,” she said. “We have plumbing issues. It’s just easier to look at building new.”

The plan would add storm shelters inside the facility.

“Right now our storm shelters require our kids to go outside,”