Voters in the Kansas City, KS Public School District resoundingly rejected a $420 million bond proposal on Tuesday, leaving the district to reassess its plans for upgrading aging school facilities and infrastructure.
The bond measure failed by a 16-point margin (58% to 42%), according to unofficial results from the Wyandotte County Election Office, and only about 8% of registered voters participated in the special election.
The proposal aimed to fund a sweeping set of capital improvements across the district, including:
- Building three new elementary schools by combining and replacing several existing ones
- Constructing two new middle schools
- Adding classroom space to two overcrowded elementary schools
- Completing $45.5 million in deferred maintenance projects
- Making $66.5 million in other facility improvements like HVAC and roof upgrades
- Building a new $15 million district aquatic center
- Expanding pre-K program capacity at a cost of $20 million
- Contributing up to $20 million toward a new main Kansas City public library
“While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, your engagement in the democratic process is truly commendable and reflects your commitment to the future of our schools and our community,” said KCKPS Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield. “We understand that the decision to support a bond initiative is significant, and we respect the diverse perspectives and considerations that each member of our community brings to the table.”
The rejected bond package was intended as a follow-up to a $235 million bond issue approved by voters in 2016 to rebuild and renovate several district schools. School officials argued additional investments were needed to address aging infrastructure and overcrowding issues that persisted at other facilities.
Century-old Central Middle School, for example, has so many students enrolled that classes are held in outdoor trailers and students must share lockers due to space constraints. The bond would have funded a complete rebuild of that school.
Concerns over costs played a major role in sinking the measure. It was projected to raise property tax bills by $97.50 annually for each $100k of home value. For example, a homeowner with a property valued at $250k would have an additional $243.75 tacked on to their tax bill each year for 30 years.
Pamela Penn-Hicks, an organizer who campaigned against the bond, celebrated the outcome while calling for more community dialogue.
“Now is the time for us to sit down as a community and bring the necessary ingredients together to improve our academic success and improve students’ academic experiences,” she told The Kansas City Star.
In her statement, Dr. Stubblefield expressed hope that even those who voted no recognized the need for better school facilities.
“Although the bond was not passed, our dedication to providing our students with safe, modern, and high-quality learning environments remains unwavering,” said Dr. Stubblefield. “We remain grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and debate about our school district’s needs and priorities.”
