Voters tour Kansas City Public Schools buildings, buses ahead of bond election
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Saturday, voters had the chance to tour some Kansas City Public Schools buildings and buses ahead of the upcoming “GO” Bond election.
The General Obligation Bond is a way for schools to raise money for new projects like building repairs, renovations, and new construction.
KCPS hasn’t had a bond measure since 1967 and said that it would help with over $1 billion in deferred maintenance and renovation needs. If passed, the bond would raise $474 million for KCPS and nine charter school partners.
On March 29, voters toured Phillis Wheatley Elementary School, Central High School, and Académie Lafayette Public Charter School to see how the infrastructure is holding up.
“This is to help people understand that we are not the same Kansas City Public Schools of 20-30 years ago; it is a different district, and I think it is important that we tell that story,” said Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier.
Dr. Collier has been with the district for 25 years and started as a long-term sub. She’s been a teacher, principal, and now superintendent for two years.
“What I’ve seen in terms of conditions is that the conditions were not great- even when I was a teacher here, and that was over 25 years ago,” said Dr. Collier. She added, “There has been no dedicated funding for infrastructure needs; that is the reason why our buildings look the way they do.”
She meets with her students regularly and said the number one question she gets asked is “Why do our buildings look the way they do?”
“They are coming back [from other schools], and they are asking that question, and I think as superintendent those experiences are what weigh on me most heavily. In addition to seeing for myself what the needs are– hearing my students verbalize that,” said Dr. Collier.
Voters will head to the polls on Wednesday, April 8. You can learn more about the bond here.
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