Wyandotte County to vote on $420 million bond proposal for KCK Public Schools
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Wyandotte County residents within the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District (USD 500) will vote next month on a bond proposal for the school district.
In January, the Board of Education for KCKPS approved a $420 million bond proposal, set for residents to vote on the May 7 ballot.
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The recommended facility upgrades and improvements are based on input gathered from students, parents, staff, and community members through a facilities assessment survey, according to KCKPS.
The bond includes the rebuilding of Central and Argentine Middle Schools, replacing older elementary school buildings, eliminating mobile classrooms, a new state-of-the-art public library, a new district aquatic center and comprehensive renovations to existing schools campuses.
KCKPS Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield said the district is hosting multiple meetings leading up to the election for people to ask questions and provide feedback.
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The first meeting was held Thursday night at Central Middle School.
“What we’re bringing forth was actually requested by the community through various opportunities they gave input in over the course of several years,” Stubblefield said.
Stubblefield said if the bond fails “it would be back to the drawing board.”
Stubblefield said the projects are more than the annual budget can afford, which already covers day-to-day repairs.
For tax payers, the mill levy will sit at 8.5.
“If you have a home that’s $125,000, it’s about $122 per year,” she said.
That’s not sitting right for some. Christina Aquindo attended Thursday night’s information session to share her thoughts.
“Living in Wyandotte County, we have astronomical taxes. It’s put a burden on us, on me,” she said. “We are low performing, so I don’t think more walls or pretty paint is going to get us to that academic level of $420 million.
Others like Tamia Mahone are still not sure how they feel.
“I just heard about it and I’m just here to get more information and what the plans are when they get the money,” Mahone said.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 22, at F.L. Schlagle High School and the last meeting will be held on Thursday, April 25, at J.C. Harmon High School. All meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner provided. To register for a meeting, click here.
