KCPS staff, city leaders join in rally for ‘yes' on school bond vote
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Teachers, students and parents were joined by city council members and Mayor Quinton Lucas on Saturday to rally in support of a 'yes' vote on Tuesday's upcoming Kansas City Public Schools bond vote.
If approved, the bond would send $474 million to KCPS to update buildings districtwide.
'When you get a chance to visit our schools right now,' said Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas.
'You see, our infrastructure is not where it needs to be.'
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Teachers and administrators at James Elementary said that their 110-year-old building needs a makeover.
'It's not ADA accessible in any way; we have wonderful high ceilings in classrooms, but we are rocking the original wood floors from the original construction of the school,' said Marjorie Mayes, principal of the elementary school in Kansas City's historic northeast neighborhood.
'It's just not fit for the 21st century.'
Instructional Coach Elizabeth Warwick says that a pipe burst in the building earlier in the year.
'The point of schools is to be there to learn. So, it's incredibly disruptive,' she said.
Lucas and Warwick both pointed out that other districts are better equipped than KCPS.
'I have been a public school educator for 13 years, I came from the Chicago Public Schools,' Warwick said.
'And the schools in Chicago don't look like this.' Lucas agreed.
'The strongest school districts in our entire region are the ones that invest in great facilities and great opportunities for their kids. Do you want that for us or do you not?'
The question on Tuesday's ballot says that the city will pay for the renovations by levying a new property tax. An additional $0.61 tax per every $100 on your valuation. Someone with a property worth $500,000 would pay an additional $3050 in property taxes, should the bond pass.
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Folks rallying and canvassing on Saturday said they think the vote is worth it.
'If we want to be a city that's going to be fully arrived in the year 2025 and beyond, we have to address the needs of our schools,' Mayes said.
'Kansas City, you know, we're growing and known for great sports teams or the streetcar,' said Laura Wallner, who was canvassing on Saturday morning. 'We're investing in so many things; we should invest as much in our kids and their futures.'
The school bond vote will be on Tuesday, April 8.
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