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Voters to decide on bond issues for multiple school districts Tuesday

Posted at 6:28 AM, Apr 03, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-03 21:35:04-04

Bond proposals for several schools in the Kansas City metro area will appear on the Tuesday's Special Election ballot.

Here is what you need to about the proposal for schools in Independence, Park Hill and Grandview.

Independence

Voters will decide on a ‘no tax increase’ bond proposal for the Independence School District on Tuesday’s Special Election ballot.

The proposal would build a new elementary school and provide facility upgrades to all three high schools in the district.

“We’ve had classrooms in space that was not designed for classrooms,” said Independence superintendent Dr. Dale Herl.

Herl states the bonds are needed as a result of overcrowding in the district that’s forced the schools to turn mobile home trailers into 14 classrooms.

“You lose so much instructional time whenever you have to have kids go inside [school] for music or go inside for P.E. and art. Not all trailers are equipped with restrooms,” said Herl.

Herl points to a voter-decided annexation of some Kansas City public schools in late 2007 as part of the overcrowding. The move added 2,400 students to the district. Since then, an additional 1,400 students now pushes the ISD student population to nearly 14,500 students.

Here’s what the bonds would fund:

  • A new elementary school at 31st and Hardy Avenue that would hold 450-500 students
  • Truman High School improvements
    • New entry and exterior upgrades
    • Four additional classrooms
    • Expanded and remodeled lunchroom
    • Added PT and athletic training classroom space
    • Remodeled science classrooms
  • Van Horn High School improvements
    • New space for a Culinary Pathway program
    • A new gymnasium
    • Added PT and athletic training classroom space
    • Wood shop and metals classroom
    • Remodeled science classrooms
  • William Chrisman High School improvements
    • Four additional classrooms
    • A weight room
    • Remodeled science classroom
    • PT and athletic training classroom space

Dr. Herl says the improvements come without a cost to taxpayers because of a refinancing plan to lower interest rates for $135 million in previous bonds over the last six years.

Grandview

Grandview C-4 School District is asking voters to approve $9 million in a 3-year bond proposal.

Improvements would include renovations to classrooms, safety and security upgrades, adding ADA accessible bleachers to the High School’s stadium and more

“Safety and security look a lot different 50 years ago than it does today as does restrooms and those kinds of pieces,” said Kenny Rodrequez, Grandview C-4 School District’s Superintendent.

Park Hill

Park Hill is requesting the largest of the metro school district bond proposals at $110 million.

“This isn't a surprise to us that we have more students coming to us,” said Park Hill School District Superintendent Jeanette Cowherd “One of the things we need to do is make sure we have adequate space for classrooms and for programs.”

The bond proposal would fund a new middle and elementary school as well as improvements to other district facilities.

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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com. 

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