WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- The Wichita Board of Education has an early idea of how the vote on a $450 million bond proposal for Wichita Public Schools could go in a couple of months. A research firm conducted a phone survey in mid-November and presented the results during Monday's BOE meeting. Of the 301 people surveyed, 77.6% said they were in favor of the bond proposal. At first, 36% were opposed, but some switched to favoring the proposal when they were told the $450 million bond would not change the current tax rate or mill levy. You can expect to hear a lot about the proposal over the next few months. The vote is scheduled for Feb. 25 and will be for registered voters living in the Wichita school district. Too many lights on front of vehicle could get you pulled over in Kansas The BOE says it needs the $450 million because of Wichita's aging buildings. The average age of the 88 Wichita Public School buildings is over 60. The WPS plant facilities director, Luke Newman, says there is a $1.2 billion backlog of deferred needs. He said the bond would allow WPS to rebuild seven schools and renovate three others. The district could also address some of the backlog needs in the remaining buildings. Facility Master Plan Phase 1 Rebuilding (on or near their current locations): Elementary schools: Adams, Black, Caldwell, Irving, and McLean Middle schools: Truesdell and Coleman Building new facilities: Early Childhood Center, at current site of Chester Lewis Academic Learning Center Future Ready Center for Trades at East High School Northeast Magnet outdoor athletic fields Renovating and repurposing: Expand and convert Cessna Elementary to a K-8 school Convert Isely Elementary to a K-8 school Current Coleman Middle School will be renovated and repurposed into an alternative learning center Current Wells Alternative Middle School will be expanded and repurposed into a 6-12 center and will include Sowers Alternative High School High school maintenance Close and relocate: Chester Lewis Academic Learning Center - Wichita Alternative High School and other programs will be relocated Dunbar Support Center - Multilingual Education Services and other programs will be relocated Focht Instructional Support Center - Education Imagine Academy and other programs will be relocated Gateway Alternative Program will be relocated Little Early Childhood Center relocated to the new Early Childhood Center Sowers Alternative High School relocated to expanded Wells Alternative Middle School Closing: L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley Elementary and Woodland "If the bond passes ... we have ... fewer buildings that are old with high maintenance needs," Newman said. "Our risk isn't as great that we have to have as much of that money dedicated for potential reactive maintenance issues that pop up." The district says it could be proactive instead of being reactive to maintenance issues. He also said the district could finally install air conditioning in the middle and high school gyms that don't have it yet. WSU gets ‘most significant industry contract’ in its history The school district plans to reach voters through mail, signs, email, social media, and text messages. "We look forward to communicating the details of this plan in January and February, and we can make a big impact for generations to come," School Board President Stan Reeser said. "I hope we will keep our eye on the prize." Wichita Public Schools has a website with more details about the bond and the facility improvement plan. It includes a section with answers to frequently asked questions. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation on the survey and a capital improvement update. MORE Wichita Public Schools bond issue Wichita school board votes to move forward with $450 million bond USD 259 approves $450M bond, what’s next? USD 259’s first bond issue in 16 years, much different than 2008’s request