Voters approve school upgrades across KC metro. See where, who won board seats
Nearly 85% of Kansas City voters approved a historic influx of tax dollars to improve the city's public schools in Tuesday's election. But Kansas City Public Schools wasn't the only district that won big.
Across the metro, voters made decisions about which schools will be able to upgrade their aging facilities — approving a slew of bond issues — and who should be leading and guiding KC-area school districts.
Here are the election results and what they'll mean for future property taxes, school buildings and district leadership.
Bond — Voters passed a $474 million bond aimed to address deferred maintenance and renovation projects that have been mounting for decades in Kansas City Public Schools. Every school in the district will receive at least $5 million from the bond, with a focus on building safety, play areas, STEM and music spaces and athletic facilities. KCPS also plans to construct several entirely new buildings, opening new schools to serve students and families as enrollment rises after decades of decline.
School board — Two new candidates and two returning members were elected to the Kansas City Board of Education Tuesday night. Incumbent Tanesha Ford won an at-large seat with about 86% of the vote, beating out newcomer Joseph Nelson, while new elector Tricia McGee won the sub-district 3 seat uncontested. In sub-district 1, incumbent Rita Cortes beat Kelly Thompson with about 72% of the vote, and in sub-district 5, Brittany Foley won the seat over Bruce Beatty with about 54.6% of the vote. The four winners will each serve four-year terms on the seven-member KCPS board, which spans five sub-district roles and two at-large positions.
Bond — Voters approved a $225 million bond proposed by the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, focused on rebuilding two schools and updating extracurricular and athletic spaces. The bond, which passed with about 75% of the vote, is part of a five-year plan to inject $309 million into district facilities. It will fund entirely new school buildings for two elementary schools. It will also bring Pleasant Lea Middle School and Miller Park Center up to the same infrastructure standards as other district buildings and refurbish sports facilities at two high schools. The bond will not increase property tax rates, according to the district.
School board — Michelle Dawson and Nicky Nickens beat out incumbent Jennifer Foley and Leon Weatherby for two available seats on the Lee's Summit R-7 School Board. Dawson and Nickens won with about 32.6% of the vote and about 31% of the vote, respectively. Their term will last for three years. Dawson and Nickens were endorsed by the Lee's Summit Teacher's Union and the Lee's Summit Democrats, as reported by The Kansas City Beacon. Foley and Weatherby were endorsed by Salt and Light of Jackson County, a conservative political action group based around 'biblical principles.'
Bond — Voters appeared likely to soundly approve a $175 million bond issue for North Kansas City Schools, according to unofficial results around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, which would support performing art spaces in two high schools and add competition gyms in two middle schools. Other projects include a new elementary school gym and district-wide improvements such as roofing, air-conditioning, asphalt maintenance and purchasing the Northland Innovation Center. The property tax rate will not change, but the bond will add to the district's debt services paid by taxpayers.
School board — Unofficial results were still too close to call as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, as it was unclear if Clay County's election board had posted all precincts' voting data or not, and the election board did not return multiple requests to confirm the vote totals. We will update this story when unofficial results are confirmed.
Proposition G — Voters overwhelmingly approved an increase in the district's tax levy to raise teacher salaries with nearly 67% of voters supporting the ballot measure. 'This is just one way to reaffirm the commitment that our community has to our teachers and that our teachers have for our kids and for our families,' said Kelly Wachel, the Chief of Communications Officer for Park Hill.
Proposition O — Park Hill voters also approved a $128 million bond, which will be paid back by increasing the district's property tax levy by 30 cents. The measure was approved by 62% of voters on Tuesday. The bond will support renovations at Park Hill High School, build stadium and field improvements at Park Hill South High School, renovate some of the oldest elementary schools in the district as well as fund future land purchases for the district. This is the first time since 2002 Park Hill will raise taxes. Wachel described the vote as 'a community win for Park Hill.'
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