The North Kansas City School District will have a $175 million bond issue for voters to decide the fate of on the April 8 ballot. According to the district, there are building upgrades that are needed across the district and bond funds would pay for those improvements.

Updates paid for bond funds, if passed, would include high school fine and performing arts renovations at Oak Park and Winnetonka high schools, improvements at New Mark and Northgate middle schools, a new gym at Oakwood Manor Elementary as well as roofing and flooring updates and new rooftop A/C units around the district. There are also plans to purchase Northland Innovation Center with bond funds if approved, which the district contends will save money long-term and provide additional space for district programming.

Approval of the ballot issue is expected to not increase the district’s current debt service tax levy, which is estimated not to exceed the current debt service levy of $1.3085 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property, but would extend the life of the current rate.

Ballot language reads, “Shall North Kansas City School District 74, Clay County, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $175 million for the purpose of acquiring land and acquiring, constructing, repairing, improving, extending, remodeling, renovating, furnishing and equipping new and existing school facilities, including acquiring buildings, improvements, furnishings and equipment now leased to the district and acquiring school buses and other transportation equipment?”