Although the DeSoto school district has seen double-digit growth the past four years, officials worry that area commercial development is lagging.

“We’re just growing by leaps and bounds,” said Jack Deyoe, the district’s director of operations. “We’re still seeing growth in the Shawnee and Lenexa areas in the district and slower but consistent growth in DeSoto.”

By the end of 2001, he said, 473 new single family residences and 68 multifamily units had been built within the school district’s boundaries. In addition to DeSoto, the district serves 60 percent of Shawnee, 40 percent of Lenexa and a little bit of Bonner Springs, Eudora and Olathe.

Though the county has experienced significant residential growth, DeSoto school officials are concerned about the need for more commercial and industrial growth.

Governments like commercial projects because they generate jobs and produce more tax revenue than residential developments of similar size. Commercial land is appraised at a higher rate for property-tax purposes.

In 2000, the county’s assessed valuations were $2.97 billion for residential property compared to $1.58 billion for commercial property. Last year, the assessed value of residential property grew to $3.29 billion, while commercial property increased slightly to $1.75 billion. The numbers were derived from market values by the county appraiser’s office.

In the DeSoto school district, Deyoe said the assessed valuation rose to $199.8 million in 2001 compared to $111 million in 1998, but the majority is in residential properties.

“It’s difficult to continue to provide good schools and provide services at the level we want to keep them at,” he said. “It puts more of a burden on the individual taxpayer than tax base.”

Deyoe said the district would like to see more commercial and industrial businesses established at the site of the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, but that growth is likely at least 10 years down the road. He said the plant’s land comprises 15 percent of the district’s area that is not on the tax rolls.

Within the last several months, school officials have met with area city and county commissioners to talk about commercial development. Deyoe said the meetings were only informational, and no formal plan has been developed.

“It’s still a great place to live and great place to go to school, and there’s still time to plan for a more balanced tax pace,” he said.

Meanwhile, the district’s enrollment continues to grow.

During the 2001-02 school year, Deputy Supt. Sharon Zoellner said enrollment rose to about 3,460 students compared to 3,112 students the previous year. She said DeSoto is considered the second fastest-growing school district in the state, falling behind Maize school district near Wichita, according to research compiled by Wichita State University.

In May, voters will be asked to approve a $91.2 million bond issue. The bond would build four elementary buildings, one middle school building, additions and a district center for softball and baseball, and it would allow for land acquisition.