District Leases Land for Housing Project
Partnership with Washburn Tech
Seaman USD 345 is pleased to announce a lease arrangement of a 6.7-acre vacant tract of land to Washburn Tech (formerly Kaw Area Technical School).
The $1 per year lease over 20 years is for land that will be used for construction of affordable single family homes by Washburn Tech construction program students. The lease arrangement will allow students from several Washburn Tech career training programs including Building Technology, Commercial and Heavy Construction, Commercial Construction, Electricity, Heating and Air,and Cabinet/Mill an additional real life, hands-on opportunity to practice their skills.
Any land remaining undeveloped after 20 years would return to the ownership of USD 345.
Students will be involved in the construction project from the beginning. The students will have direct experience with grading and preparing each home site for building, constructing driveways and basements, building the home frame, interior walls and roof, installing the plumbing and electrical systems, constructing the cabinets and other millwork, as well as other components of home building.
The homes to be constructed will be reasonably priced, single story with three bedrooms, garage, and a basement. Energy efficient features, green building materials and technology will be incorporated into the design and construction of each home. The 6.7-acre tract will support the construction of 14 to 20 homes and is located across from the former Seaman East Indianola Grade School on NW Fillmore Street in North Topeka.
Mike Mathes, Superintendent of Seaman USD 345 Schools states, "This is a great opportunity to provide students real life experience in developing a subdivision from the very beginning. It will also be a great addition to the neighborhood. The district will see financial benefits as each house is sold and added to the property tax rolls as well as the possibility of providing additional students to our schools."
Dr. Roxanne Kelly, Dean of Washburn Tech, adds, "This land is greatly appreciated and emphasizes the partnership between the Seaman School District and Washburn Tech. as an educational partner."
"Additionally, this is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be deeply involved in the building process from beginning to end." Dr. Kelly continues. "With this collaboration, Washburn Tech will be able to provide yet another opportunity for the students to have real-world experience in the career field they have chosen."
Washburn Tech is a two-year institution where students can obtain technical skills so they can go out and get a job. Approximately 90 percent of the institution's graduates go either into jobs related to their training, into the military, or go on to further their education.
After just one or two years of training, graduates of Washburn Tech programs have obtained employment earning up to $21.68 per hour.
The Topeka institution offers 24 career training programs in the Construction, Health Care, Human Services, Technology, and Transportation career fields.
In addition, short-term continuing education and computer classes are also offered. Approximately 40 Seaman students are enrolled each year at Washburn Tech. They spend the first three hours of the day at Seaman and then the remainder of the day at the technical school.
