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Bond 2025

North Kansas City Schools serves nearly 22,000 students and their families – and we’re growing! To ensure every student has access to world-class learning opportunities at every stage, from preschool to graduation, we’re proposing vital building upgrades districtwide. 

On April 8, 2025, we’ll ask voters to consider a $175 million zero tax increase bond issue to make these improvements a reality.

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Graphic with NKC Schools logo and BOND zero tax increase April 8, 2025

 

Banner: Every Student Every Stage

 

Bond 2025: Proposed Projects

high school theater students bow at the end of a production

Fine & Performing Arts Renovations


New performing arts additions to Oak Park and Winnetonka will expand opportunities for students in several areas including theater, choir, band, orchestra, and more. Existing spaces will be renovated to provide for additional classrooms and arts spaces. The new PAC will also serve as a hub for feeder pattern events, providing a common space that welcomes all future Northmen and Griffins. 
students gather in the hall to access their lockers and book bags

Major Renovations at Middle Schools


Extensive renovations will benefit Northgate and New Mark, including the addition of a new gym and high-wind shelter at each building, providing additional space for students and community use. At New Mark, a renovated library space will welcome students, while accessibility improvements will be made at Northgate. Both
schools will see extensive flooring, paint and lighting updates. Renovations throughout the buildings will improve many aspects of the middle school experience for our 7th and 8th grade students. 

young elementary students watch peers as they give a performance

& More!
 


Big upgrades are coming! Oakwood Manor will get a brand-new gym, plus updated finishes like lighting, paint and flooring throughout the school. Phase one also includes new storage facilities, replacement of rooftop A/C units, various maintenance projects, and plans to purchase the Northland Innovation Center, saving funds long-term and providing additional space for district programming. 

What is a Bond & Why Now?

We want every student to have great pride in where they go to school – at every stage, from preschool to graduation. Thanks to the support of our community, North Kansas City Schools has been allowed to return nearly half a billion dollars to our community over the past decade by building new school facilities, replacing aging and outdated schools, and adapting to the growth across the district. All of this has been accomplished with ZERO tax increase for residents – in fact, our overall tax rate has gone down since 2014! 

It’s now time for our next phase. Based on feedback and input from students, families, alumni and all those we serve, we are asking the community to consider a zero tax increase bond measure on April 8. The proposed projects (outlined above) span all feeder patterns and would positively impact each and every one of our nearly 22,000 students.

Be sure you’re registered to vote by Wednesday, March 12 and vote on Tuesday, April 8!

 

Graphic showing bond vote and funding, then construction at schools as a circular cycle

What is a zero tax increase bond issue and how does it work? 

In a public school district, a portion of the residents' property taxes go to support schools. Part of this funding goes toward a debt service levy. This money is used to pay down debt, or a loan, made to the district in the form of issued bonds. 

Imagine it like a credit card: the district has something like a "credit limit" set by the debt service levy, representing the amount of money we can borrow. Every few years, we make a "purchase" with a bond package. Over time, the district pays down that debt through the debt service levy. So why do we need an election? Voter approval is required to take out this "loan" – the bond issue. We are proud of the community support in NKC Schools and our strong record of fiscal management. Together, this allows us to issue bonds and pay them down every few years, returning that money back into our community. In the past decade, NKC Schools has been allowed to return nearly half a billion dollars to our community without asking residents to raise taxes.