The KCKPS Board of Education voted to move forward with a bond resolution that would bring new schools, a new public library, an aquatic center, and renovations to school campuses.
In a meeting Jan. 9, KCKPS board members voted 5-2 to send the $420 million bond proposal to voters on the May 7 ballot. Members who voted yes are Yolanda Clark, Maxine Drew, Randy Lopez, Robert Milan Jr., and Rachel Russell. Voting against the measure were Wanda Brownlee Paige and Valdenia Winn.
The bond measure is designed to address overcrowding and a need to update facilities district wide. The bulk of the funds, $228.6 million, would go toward consolidating and building new elementary and middle schools. Up to $20 million would go toward a new main library.
If the bond measure is passed, the plans include:
- Building a new school and combining Emerson and New Stanley elementary schools
- Building a new school and combining Silver City and Noble Prentis elementary schools
- Building a new Argentine Middle School
- Building a new Central Middle School
- Building a new school and combining Lindbergh and Eugene Ware elementary schools
Other line items for facility improvements include $44 million in district-wide deferred maintenance, $29.3 million in athletic facilities improvements, $15 million for a district aquatic center, $12 million for auditorium improvements, and $5 million for classroom additions to eliminate portable classrooms presently at schools.
Bond Issue Input & Listening Sessions
The KCK Public Schools are inviting the public to participate in a “listening and learning session” where the community can have a dialogue about the bond measure and other topics.
Members of the KCK Board of Education will attend the session to be held Jan. 18, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at KCKPS Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St, KCK. Dinner will be served. To attend, register at https://bit.ly/KCKPSListenLearn.
