Rawlins County Community Moves Forward with Vision for New K–12 School Facility

by Derek White

ATWOOD, Kansas - The Rawlins County Unified School District 105 is in the midst of a transformative journey—a full rebuild of its educational facilities that has grown out of necessity, resilience, and the determined spirit of a close-knit rural community. What began as a long-overdue facilities assessment evolved quickly into a district-wide movement after a fire destroyed a significant portion of the high school. Today, bulldozers are carving the foundation for a modern, unified K–12 campus that represents both practical planning and ambitious hope.

A Longstanding Need Brought Into Focus by Tragedy

As Superintendent Eric Stoddard explained in a recent interview, the district began assessing its buildings in early 2023, well before the fire. Both the junior/senior high and elementary buildings showed serious signs of age, including non-compliance with ADA standards, outdated infrastructure, and small classroom size

But in the summer of 2023, when a fire, later determined to be arson broke out in the high school’s art room, the situation changed overnight. "The fire was mostly contained in the art room," Stoddard said, "but the structural damage and smoke rendered the entire northern half of the building unusable." The building was condemned, and emergency plans had to be made to start the new school year on time.

Temporary modular classrooms weren’t ready in time for August, so the district scrambled to create a makeshift K–12 campus. Classrooms were pieced together between the elementary school and a nearby church, allowing students to begin the school year on schedule. High schoolers eventually transitioned into modular buildings by February 2024.

Despite the disruption, the community came together. "The community's been very resilient through everything," Stoddard said. "There’s been a lot of support—not just financially, but emotionally and logistically. Everyone stepped up."

From Assessment to Action: Surveys and Design

By late 2023, the district hired SPT Architecture of Wichita and began mapping out its options. A construction manager at risk McCown-Gordon Construction was brought on in January, and community input was prioritized through multiple public meetings and two detailed surveys.

In both surveys, a majority supported Option 2, a complete rebuild into a unified K–12 building located on the existing school site. The January 2024 survey showed 73.5% support; the April 2024 survey followed with 54.1%. While concerns about age grouping and site space surfaced, the promise of operational efficiency and modern facilities resonated with most.

What's in the Works: The New Campus Plan

The approved plan calls for a two-story, 95,000+ square foot K–12 facility, including:

• Modern classrooms for all grades

• A new competition gymnasium with a top-loading design (where entry is at street level and the floor is below)

• A wrestling room that will double as a storm shelter

• Shared cafeteria, library/media center, and science labs

• 28,000 square feet of new playground space

• Improved traffic flow, parking, and drop-off zones

The design balances community aesthetics with educational efficiency. “We’re trying to keep the building functional and within cost while making sure it fits our community,” Stoddard said.

Financial Picture: Bond and Sales Tax

The project is being funded through a $29.9 million bond approved by voters in August 2024, along with a 1-cent countywide sales tax. The bond passed with roughly 66% approval, mirroring the survey results. The sales tax passed by an even larger margin.

Here’s what it means for residents:

• Property taxes will increase approximately 24 mills

• A $100,000 home owner will pay about $276/year

• Dryland ag: ~$1.32/acre/year

• Irrigated ag: ~$3.46/acre/year

• Grassland: ~$0.23/acre/year

  
  

  The sales tax component will generate approximately $509,000/year, helping offset the bond cost and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

Rising Costs and Responsible Cuts

The district encountered budget overruns due to inflation and construction bids that exceeded early projections. However, rather than compromise the integrity of the educational space, the board and architects made measured changes:

• Parking and playgrounds will be completed in phases

• Decorative exterior finishes were scaled back

• Some athletic and auxiliary amenities were postponed

Stoddard noted that, while painful, these cuts were necessary to keep the core vision intact. “We're committed to delivering a high-quality facility that meets our educational goals and honors what we told the community.”

Construction Timeline and Progress

The project is officially underway. Dirt work began in April 2025, and foundation work is slated to begin in mid-May. The current timeline targets February 2027 for completion—a 22-month build. The gymnasium and lower level are the first components being shaped, with live camera feeds available on the district website.

The former high school gym, spared from the fire, was reopened in early 2024 after demo and utility reconnections, but it won’t be available for games during construction.

A Community Moving Forward

“This rebuild is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Stoddard. “It’s about providing something lasting for our kids and our community.” He noted that this year’s graduating class began junior high during COVID, survived the fire, and adapted to temporary classrooms. “They’ve been through a lot, and so has this community.”

With resilient leadership, overwhelming public support, and a clear vision, Rawlins County is doing more than rebuilding a school—it’s investing in a future built on unity, progress, and hope.