Perry-Lecompton school district officials are contemplating $9 million to $11.5 million in academic and athletic facility improvements that could be folded into a bond issue.

The board and Supt. Steve Johnston met this week to discuss an outline of possible bond projects for the 1,000-student district. On the agenda was expansion of two elementary schools, replacement of the middle school and upgrades at the high school.

The board will outline details of bond-project options at a public forum 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Perry Middle School.

Friday, Johnston said the economy would be a big factor in patrons’ decision about proposed investments in school buildings.

“It’s entirely possible that we’ll hear: “You’re crazy,'” Johnston said. “The other side is that we may hear … some of these things are a good idea.”

If reaction at the forum is favorable, he said, a bond vote likely would occur before July.

Key features of the board’s blueprint:

l Lecompton School — $2.2 million to add five classrooms, build a gym, improve heating and cooling systems.

l Perry School — $1.4 million for six new classrooms, renovation of classes, heating and cooling improvements.

l Perry Middle school (two options) — $6.2 million to construct a junior high for seventh- and eighth-graders, or $3.6 million to renovate classrooms, add a gym, upgrade heating and cooling.

l Perry-Lecompton High School — $1.6 million for heating and cooling upgrades, add a soccer field, grandstand and parking lot.

Board member Greg Howard, who is running for his fifth term, said this bond issue might be appealing to voters because it would focus on elementary school facilities.

“I think people will be supportive of the elementary part of this bond issue. That’s going to be the key,” Howard said.

The last two bond issues for Perry-Lecompton schools were defeated by voters. Both dealt with secondary school facilities.

Currently, the Perry and Lecompton elementary schools have students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Fifth-graders attend Williamstown School. The middle school has grades six through eight. The high school has the four upper grades.

Denis Yoder, principal of the elementary school in Lecompton, said expanding buildings in Lecompton and Perry so fifth-graders could be with all the other elementary school students would be a good idea.

Tom Holroyd, a school board member, said the district likely would push for a bond issue on a ballot before July 1.

After that date, he said, a state program that provides funding for 25 percent of the district’s bond-issue projects might be eliminated.

He wants people at the Feb. 24 meeting at the middle school to consider bond proposals with an open mind.

School board candidate Donna Bergmann said voters in the district may not be ready for a bond issue this year.

“Is this the right time to do it, based on the economy, to suggest that we dip into our pockets to fund something with money that we don’t have?” said Bergmann, who is employed by The World Company, which owns the Journal-World.

Bergmann’s opponent, incumbent Scott McPherson, didn’t return calls Friday.