A General Obligation (GO) Bond is a tool schools use to raise money for large-scale projects like building repairs, renovations, and new construction. This method is the primary means for Missouri school districts to improve their facilities. If approved, KCPS will pay the bonds back within a twenty (20) year period from bond issuance using property tax revenue.

The GO Bond will fund facility improvements for KCPS and participating charter schools, including:

• Constructing, repairing, improving, and equipping new and aging public school buildings.

• Addressing critical safety and security needs.

• Upgrading heating and cooling systems, roofs, plumbing, and other deferred maintenance.

Research shows students learn better in schools with clean spaces, good lighting, fresh air, and updated classrooms, all of which help them succeed. Currently:

• Our schools have more than $1 billion in unfunded facility needs

• The average school building is over 60 years old, with many schools requiring urgent repairs to heating, cooling, plumbing, and roofing systems.

This bond would provide students in both KCPS and participating charter schools safe, modern, and effective learning environments.

The GO Bond would raise $474 million, which includes:

• $424 million for KCPS.

• $50 million for nine charter school partners.

In addition to the GO Bond, KCPS will issue a $100 million Certificate of Participation (COP) Bond in Spring 2025. This bond will be repaid from existing operating revenues, will not increase taxes, and does not require voter approval.

To promote public education, student and teacher safety, and academic performance, shall    The School District of Kansas City 33 (d/b/a Kansas City Public Schools) issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $474,000,000, for constructing, repairing, improving, and equipping new and aging public school buildings, including safety and security measures, heating and cooling systems, roofs, plumbing, and other deferred maintenance?

If this question is approved, the District will levy a debt service property tax in the estimated amount of $0.6100 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property, with $50,000,000 of the total $474,000,000 amount of general obligation bonds allocated for nine participating public charter schools.

• Académie Lafayette

• Citizens of the World-Kansas City

• Crossroads Charter Schools

• De La Salle Education Center

• Gordon Parks Elementary School

• Hogan Preparatory Academy

• Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy

• KC International Academy (KCIA)

• Scuola Vita Nuova (SVN)

For a homeowner with a home sale price (market value) of $200,000 the assessed value would be $38,000 (19% of the market value). Based on this assessed value, the GO Bond would cost approximately 64 cents per day, or about $19.32 per month. To calculate your annual cost, access the calculator in the Ambassador Toolkit at https://bit.ly/40A3q0J. 

State law authorizes counties to issue senior tax credits for property taxes. School districts such as KCPS do not control whether and/or how a county determines senior tax credits and based on several uncertainties regarding the legislation, cannot advise on the potential impact to a specific taxpayer.

The Jackson County Collection Department has provided FAQs on their website at: https://www.jacksongov.org/Government/Departments/Collection.

If a taxpayer has any questions regarding whether they qualify for the tax credit or how the tax credit will be applied in their particular situation, KCPS advises they contact the Jackson County Collection Department.

Kansas City residents haven’t passed a bond for our schools since 1967. While other districts in the region are using GO Bonds to maintain and improve their schools, KCPS is the only district without this funding tool. Without dedicated funds for facility improvements, KCPS and our charter partners cannot address the growing list of repairs and upgrades needed to provide safe, high-quality schools for our students.

KCPS will:

• Establish an independent Community Bond Oversight Committee.

• Hire an auditor to ensure bond funds are spent only on approved projects.

• Share regular updates publicly to maintain transparency and accountability

The Bond website has additional information about funding allocations and proposed GO Bond improvements at www.kcpublicschools.org/bond/projects. 

KCPS encourages our community to be involved and stay informed. Sign up for bond updates and opportunities to be engaged on the Be Involved page.