At the March 30th Dysart Governing Board meeting, something didn’t sit right.
Board President Steve Skvara is now leading the charge to place another bond on the ballot this November—despite voting against the last one. That sudden shift alone raises important questions, but even more concerning is how quickly this proposal appears to be coming together.
Let me be clear: Dysart needs a bond to pass.
Our district is growing rapidly, particularly in the 163rd Avenue corridor. New schools are not optional—they are necessary. We need updated buses, reliable HVAC systems in our classrooms, and critical capital improvements that directly impact both student safety and the quality of education.
But bonds are not something you throw together at the last minute.
Running a bond election in 2026 will cost taxpayers somewhere between $200,000 and $300,000. That’s a significant investment just to ask voters for approval. With that kind of cost, the proposal should be carefully developed, transparent, and comprehensive. Instead, what we are seeing feels rushed—and incomplete.
One glaring omission? No funding for buses.
Anyone paying attention to the district knows transportation is a growing issue. Leaving buses out of a bond proposal signals a lack of thoughtful planning and raises concerns about whether this proposal truly reflects the district’s most urgent needs.
And then there’s the bigger question: what changed?
For those who have followed the board, this reversal is difficult to ignore. Leadership should be grounded in consistency, transparency, and a clear focus on students. When a board president who previously opposed a bond is now pushing one forward—without a clear explanation—it’s fair for the community to ask why.
It’s also fair to expect more.
Our community is not opposed to investing in our schools. In fact, many Dysart families are ready and willing to support a well-crafted bond that addresses real needs. But that support must be earned.
It requires:
- Thoughtful, long-term planning
- Honest communication with the public
- A complete proposal that reflects actual district priorities
- And leadership that puts students ahead of politics
This isn’t about being for or against a bond.
It’s about getting it right.
If we are going to ask taxpayers to invest hundreds of millions into our schools, the least we can do is ensure the proposal is thorough, responsible, and built with the future of Dysart students in mind—not assembled at the last minute.
Our students deserve better.
Our taxpayers deserve better.
And our district deserves leadership that takes the time to do this the right way.
