KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – On Tuesday May 21, Kansas City Public Schools will embark on a significant push with community members to improve the schools across the district. The district will host two workshops–one in English and one in Spanish, called “Building The Blueprint”–to share information about school facility needs and to gather feedback from staff, families, students, and community members.
KCPS is the only Missouri school district in the region without a voter approved General Obligation (GO) Bond to fund school facility improvements. The district’s last voter approved GO Bond was nearly 60 years ago in 1967.
The district deems this embarkment the most significant investment in Kansas City’s kids in 30 years. It will include a 10-Year Capital Funding Plan that will serve as the roadmap for prioritizing school facility needs over the next decade. The plan will also detail funding sources for critical improvements and identity priority projects for two bond measures: a Certificate of Participation (COP) Bond in Fall 2024 and a GO Bond in 2025.
“Our facilities do not reflect the remarkable efforts of our staff and our students.” Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier explained a video posted on the district’s website. “The district has more than $650 million in critical repair needs including outdated wiring, plumbing, roofs, and our HVAC systems”
Representatives from the KCPS community alongside representatives of the business community will collaborate to gather input and build community support for the plan. KCPS Plans to have a draft of the 10-Year Capital Funding plan ready to present to the School Board on July 17, 2024.
“We know that adequate facilities are the foundation of an equitable education.” proclaimed Dr. Jennifer Collier.
A 2007 study published by Virginia Tech proves a direct correlation between facility improvement and student academic improvement. Calvin Bullock–the author of the study–writes,
“This study found that building condition is related to student achievement. Students performed better in newer or recently renovated buildings than they did in older buildings. The percentage of students passing the Commonwealth of Virginia Standards of Learning Examination at the middle school level was higher in English, mathematics and science in standard buildings than it was in substandard buildings.”
The community workshop will be held Tuesday, May 21 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Board of Education building located on 2901 Troost Avenue. Dinner, childcare, and translation will be provided.
For more information, visit www.kcpublicschools.org/bond
