NKC Schools is now home to more than 21,000 students and counting! Now the second-largest district in Missouri, NKC Schools is projected to grow by more than 1,500 students in the next five years. As we welcome new students and families, new and expanded facilities are needed to accommodate rapid growth. Replacing and renovating older facilities across the district will also help ensure that all students have the best opportunities to learn in world-class environments. Comprehensive updates will bring new, modern learning spaces and critical safety and systems improvements district-wide. 

As more students and families join NKC Schools, additional staff and services are required to meet greater needs. Inflation has also driven the district’s operating costs up. NKC Schools is committed to creating learning environments in which students can reach their maximum potential. The levy transfer would allow the district to continue in this mission with no increase in taxes. 

Approval of the two ballot issues would allow construction to begin immediately on the next phase of the district’s Long-Range Facility Plan, along with strategic improvements to better support students and staff. This includes:

District-Wide

• Northern transportation hub
• Hiring additional staff to address rapid growth
• Managing inflation and increased operating costs
• Cosmetic upgrades, safety and security improvements, playgrounds and deferred maintenance projects (roofs, asphalt, HVAC, etc.) at numerous sites
  
  

North Kansas City High School Feeder Pattern

• Total replacement of Crestview Elementary
  
  

Oak Park High School Feeder Pattern

• Addition to Chapel Hill Elementary
• Upgrades to Linden West Elementary, Meadowbrook Elementary, Clardy Elementary and Oakwood Manor Elementary
  
  

Staley High School Feeder Pattern

• Total replacement of Nashua Elementary
• Addition to Rising Hill Elementary 
  
  

Winnetonka High School Feeder Pattern

• Solutions for aging facilities at Lakewood Elementary and Winnwood Elementary

District demographers predict that rapid growth will significantly impact schools throughout our district. Unless action is taken, classrooms will face overcrowding and the potential of boundary changes and/or the addition of modular units would need to be considered. If the levy transfer is not passed, we would be unable to adequately staff our buildings to address growth, class sizes would increase and support services would be limited. The district might have to pass on the cost of increased health insurance on to our employees.

District residents can vote on both ballot items – zero tax increase bond issue and zero tax increase levy transfer – on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Voters must be registered no later than Wednesday, March 9, 2022. 

While bond funds must be dedicated to building, levies are for learning. The proposed zero tax increase levy transfer would move 20 cents from our debt service levy (currently allocated for paying off debt) to the operating levy (the fund that pays employees and provides for district operations). The existing levy of $5.6663 (debt service and operating levies combined) would remain unchanged. This transfer of funds would simply decrease the debt service levy from $1.29 to $1.09, while increasing the operating levy from $4.3763 to $4.5763. Wise fiscal management ensures our debt can still be paid. The proposed transfer would allow NKC Schools to address growth and operate soundly with zero tax increase and no change to the overall levy.

Thanks to the fiscal responsibility of North Kansas City Schools’ Board of Education, the district has paid off a large portion of debt incurred from past construction projects. Effective management of funds has allowed us to seek approval of an additional $140 million to meet current needs. A 20-cent portion of our existing debt service levy of $1.29 would be transferred to the operating budget, resulting in no overall change. 

No. The existing levy of $5.6663 would remain in place. 

Projects would be completed in three segments, with construction on the first group beginning immediately. Working with construction partners, the district would take advantage of breaks in our academic year schedule to minimize disruption whenever possible. Cosmetic upgrades, safety improvements and maintenance would occur at numerous sites in each phase. 

Phase 2A

• New Crestview Elementary
• New Nashua Elementary
• Rising Hill Elementary addition

Phase 2B

• Chapel Hill Elementary addition
• Solutions for Lakewood Elementary and Winnwood Elementary (following input and feedback sessions with both communities)
• Clardy and Meadowbrook updates
• Northern transportation hub

Phase 2C

• Linden West and Oakwood Manor updates
• Prospect Plaza expansion
• Site work for future school at Hodge Park

With the rapid growth NKC Schools is experiencing, improvements to facilities are an urgent need. Inflation is also a concern, with costs rising faster each day. With our community’s support in April and responsible fiscal management, we can make these improvements a reality as soon as possible to best meet student needs.  

Both new elementary schools would be built on site, next to the existing facilities. Crestview and Nashua students would continue attending school in their current buildings until completion of their new schools, anticipated in fall 2024.

In October 2019, NKC Schools embarked on the creation of a long-range facilities plan. This comprehensive plan was developed by examining each building in our school system, then using that information to create criteria to rank each facility’s needs. After comparing the physical condition of our buildings, demographic information was overlaid to show where student growth was occurring. Projections help to determine where buildings may have future capacity issues. As the plan was developed, the district hosted meetings in every feeder pattern to ensure students, staff, parents and community could voice their opinions and needs.

As our neighborhoods continue to grow, it is critical that we build for the future while updating aging buildings, providing top-notch facilities for all of our students, parents and staff. Over the last few months, a facility planning committee came together bi-weekly to update the existing plan based on new information. Analyzing data from our demographer, bond counsel and Human Resources department, the team began to prioritize immediate and future needs. Initial discussion around the next phase of the facility plan included roof replacements, water line replacements, expansion of learning spaces and completely new buildings in some cases. After further conversation and feedback, the team adjusted the initial plan to accommodate even more projects that will allow for the ongoing success of NKC Schools. The Board of Education approved this updated facilities plan in December 2021.

Strong schools are essential to thriving neighborhoods. Demographic and economic data consistently shows that vibrant, successful schools are assets to their communities, increasing property values, attracting investment and benefiting neighbors. 

To learn more, visit our website at nkcschools.org/2022. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here if you have additional questions.