The Star’s recommendation: Approve bond issue that would benefit North Kansas City schools

To keep up with the continuing growth in the North Kansas City School District, The Star recommends that voters say “yes” to a $114 million, no-tax-increase bond issue on Aug. 2.

It would finance construction of two new kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary schools plus new sixth-grade centers in existing district facilities that would free space at the middle schools. The bonds would provide maintenance, renovations and repairs to North Kansas City High School.

The measure requires a four-sevenths majority vote to pass.

Academically, the district ranks high in the state. Approving the bond issue would help maintain quality schools, and prevent crowding and the addition of modular units at some schools.

Voters in 2014 approved a $20 million bond issue for safety and security upgrades on elementary schools and improvements to Winnetonka and Staley high schools. The focus now is on keeping up with the district’s growth.

North Kansas City High School, which opened in 1925, is the oldest of the district’s four high schools. The bond issue would pay for renovations, including new classrooms, a fine arts center, a library media center, indoor athletic area, common areas and high-tech educational space.

The district’s current debt service levy of $1.29 per $100 of assessed valuation won’t retire for about 20 years. Approving the bond issue in August would extend the debt levy 10 more years. Because of the extension, taxes that residents and businesses pay to the school district will neither go up nor down whether the measure passes or fails, officials say.

This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 12:13 PM with the headline "The Star’s recommendation: Approve bond issue that would benefit North Kansas City schools."