Latest news with #KCPS
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City looking ahead to '26 World Cup tourism, revenue
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 28 million visitors came to Kansas City in 2024, according to VisitKC, and those visitors spent a total of $4 billion. At VisitKC's Annual Tourism Outlook on Wednesday, they shared the details of visitors and investment for 2024, as well as looking ahead to future events, like the 2026 World Cup. KC mayor eyes legislation to combat predatory towing 'When you think about that unique visitor coming to Kansas City and their takeaway of 'This was such a fun city, I want to come back and vacation.' That's where my heart goes when you hear those stories,' said VisitKC President and CEO Kathy Nelson about her highlight of 2024. VisitKC reported record levels of business travel in 2024. 523 events helped fill nearly 528 thousand hotel room nights. That travel accounted for $370 million in economic impact. They also shared that visitors planned 326,000 incremental trips to KC, bringing in another $283 million in spending. One of Nelson's proudest accomplishments is their marketing campaign. They said that every dollar spent on advertising returned an average of $148 per visitor in spending. 'That's a thing,' Nelson said. 'I mean, it's hard to get any ROI like that.' Looking ahead means looking towards the FIFA World Cup in 2026, when Kansas City will host 6 matches starting on June 16, 2026. 'The global spotlight on Kansas City will be like nothing we've ever seen before,' Nelson said. 'It's one shot in our lifetime to get this right.' Nelson shared that Kansas City is ahead in transportation plans compared to other cities. She said FIFA approved phase one of their plan, and they've already secured buses for the event, the first host city to do so. KCPS breaks ground on new campus for school district Nelson also shared concerns that the number of international travelers might decrease in 2025. 'There's always concerns, no matter what the situation is with the federal government,' she said. 'It is concerning. There's no doubt when you see numbers that are declining instead of growing.' Despite the concern, Nelson says the occasion is not being taken for granted. 'We can't take this for granted. We're going to be a year out in June,' she said. Her goal is that international travelers come to a place that they probably haven't been before. 'They may have been in Miami or New York or L.A., but they don't know what Kansas City is,' Nelson said. 'So, it's on us in these coming months to get them to go, 'I got to make a stop in Kansas City.'' The FIFA World Cup matches begin in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City Public Schools celebrate passing of $474 million bond
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We're hearing from district leaders after . The historic milestone will help make upgrades to every school in the district. More KC-area orgs impacted by cuts to Museum and Library Services Leaders say the bond passing is years overdue, but are grateful for the community's investment in the district. The $474 million bond passed with 85% of Tuesday's votes. It means the district will finally be able to tackle years of deferred maintenance. 'The passing of this bond is not just a financial milestone, it's a bold step toward progress,' said KCPS Board Chair Rita Cortes. 'A meaningful investment in our future and a shared vision for a stronger, more vibrant Kansas City.' Each school will receive at least $5 million in upgrades. $424 million will go to 30 Kansas City schools, $50 million will go to nine charter schools and help build three new centers and one new middle school. The money will help upgrade security, HVAC systems, learning spaces and more. 'Schools are a vital part of the community and we have to be a part of what's happening,' KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier said. 'We are building a world class city and we cannot do that by leaving the school district behind. We have to bring our children along with us because they are the future, they are our next leaders.' Measles cases climb to 32 in eight Kansas counties In total, Collier said the district needs about $1.25 million to fully modernize all of its buildings. They may look at a no tax increase bond down the road, but for now, she said the bond passage is a step in the right direction. Collier said projects could take between 5 and 7 years to complete. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voters approve school upgrades across KC metro. See where, who won board seats
Nearly 85% of Kansas City voters approved a historic influx of tax dollars to improve the city's public schools in Tuesday's election. But Kansas City Public Schools wasn't the only district that won big. Across the metro, voters made decisions about which schools will be able to upgrade their aging facilities — approving a slew of bond issues — and who should be leading and guiding KC-area school districts. Here are the election results and what they'll mean for future property taxes, school buildings and district leadership. Bond — Voters passed a $474 million bond aimed to address deferred maintenance and renovation projects that have been mounting for decades in Kansas City Public Schools. Every school in the district will receive at least $5 million from the bond, with a focus on building safety, play areas, STEM and music spaces and athletic facilities. KCPS also plans to construct several entirely new buildings, opening new schools to serve students and families as enrollment rises after decades of decline. School board — Two new candidates and two returning members were elected to the Kansas City Board of Education Tuesday night. Incumbent Tanesha Ford won an at-large seat with about 86% of the vote, beating out newcomer Joseph Nelson, while new elector Tricia McGee won the sub-district 3 seat uncontested. In sub-district 1, incumbent Rita Cortes beat Kelly Thompson with about 72% of the vote, and in sub-district 5, Brittany Foley won the seat over Bruce Beatty with about 54.6% of the vote. The four winners will each serve four-year terms on the seven-member KCPS board, which spans five sub-district roles and two at-large positions. Bond — Voters approved a $225 million bond proposed by the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, focused on rebuilding two schools and updating extracurricular and athletic spaces. The bond, which passed with about 75% of the vote, is part of a five-year plan to inject $309 million into district facilities. It will fund entirely new school buildings for two elementary schools. It will also bring Pleasant Lea Middle School and Miller Park Center up to the same infrastructure standards as other district buildings and refurbish sports facilities at two high schools. The bond will not increase property tax rates, according to the district. School board — Michelle Dawson and Nicky Nickens beat out incumbent Jennifer Foley and Leon Weatherby for two available seats on the Lee's Summit R-7 School Board. Dawson and Nickens won with about 32.6% of the vote and about 31% of the vote, respectively. Their term will last for three years. Dawson and Nickens were endorsed by the Lee's Summit Teacher's Union and the Lee's Summit Democrats, as reported by The Kansas City Beacon. Foley and Weatherby were endorsed by Salt and Light of Jackson County, a conservative political action group based around 'biblical principles.' Bond — Voters appeared likely to soundly approve a $175 million bond issue for North Kansas City Schools, according to unofficial results around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, which would support performing art spaces in two high schools and add competition gyms in two middle schools. Other projects include a new elementary school gym and district-wide improvements such as roofing, air-conditioning, asphalt maintenance and purchasing the Northland Innovation Center. The property tax rate will not change, but the bond will add to the district's debt services paid by taxpayers. School board — Unofficial results were still too close to call as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night, as it was unclear if Clay County's election board had posted all precincts' voting data or not, and the election board did not return multiple requests to confirm the vote totals. We will update this story when unofficial results are confirmed. Proposition G — Voters overwhelmingly approved an increase in the district's tax levy to raise teacher salaries with nearly 67% of voters supporting the ballot measure. 'This is just one way to reaffirm the commitment that our community has to our teachers and that our teachers have for our kids and for our families,' said Kelly Wachel, the Chief of Communications Officer for Park Hill. Proposition O — Park Hill voters also approved a $128 million bond, which will be paid back by increasing the district's property tax levy by 30 cents. The measure was approved by 62% of voters on Tuesday. The bond will support renovations at Park Hill High School, build stadium and field improvements at Park Hill South High School, renovate some of the oldest elementary schools in the district as well as fund future land purchases for the district. This is the first time since 2002 Park Hill will raise taxes. Wachel described the vote as 'a community win for Park Hill.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KCPS staff, city leaders join in rally for ‘yes' on school bond vote
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Teachers, students and parents were joined by city council members and Mayor Quinton Lucas on Saturday to rally in support of a 'yes' vote on Tuesday's upcoming Kansas City Public Schools bond vote. If approved, the bond would send $474 million to KCPS to update buildings districtwide. 'When you get a chance to visit our schools right now,' said Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas. 'You see, our infrastructure is not where it needs to be.' What to know about Kansas City's early voting sites ahead of election Teachers and administrators at James Elementary said that their 110-year-old building needs a makeover. 'It's not ADA accessible in any way; we have wonderful high ceilings in classrooms, but we are rocking the original wood floors from the original construction of the school,' said Marjorie Mayes, principal of the elementary school in Kansas City's historic northeast neighborhood. 'It's just not fit for the 21st century.' Instructional Coach Elizabeth Warwick says that a pipe burst in the building earlier in the year. 'The point of schools is to be there to learn. So, it's incredibly disruptive,' she said. Lucas and Warwick both pointed out that other districts are better equipped than KCPS. 'I have been a public school educator for 13 years, I came from the Chicago Public Schools,' Warwick said. 'And the schools in Chicago don't look like this.' Lucas agreed. 'The strongest school districts in our entire region are the ones that invest in great facilities and great opportunities for their kids. Do you want that for us or do you not?' The question on Tuesday's ballot says that the city will pay for the renovations by levying a new property tax. An additional $0.61 tax per every $100 on your valuation. Someone with a property worth $500,000 would pay an additional $3050 in property taxes, should the bond pass. KCK doctor got paid by health care companies to commit fraud Folks rallying and canvassing on Saturday said they think the vote is worth it. 'If we want to be a city that's going to be fully arrived in the year 2025 and beyond, we have to address the needs of our schools,' Mayes said. 'Kansas City, you know, we're growing and known for great sports teams or the streetcar,' said Laura Wallner, who was canvassing on Saturday morning. 'We're investing in so many things; we should invest as much in our kids and their futures.' The school bond vote will be on Tuesday, April 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vote yes on Kansas City school bond to send our kids a message: You matter
You've heard that children are our future. On April 8, Kansas City has an opportunity to express this sentiment in a very real and tangible way. I am a mother and educator, and I proudly serve as superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools. But most important, I wholeheartedly believe in and love children — seeing their optimism, their brilliance and the potential of their future. It's in our hands as our community makes a critical decision regarding the general obligation bond issue on the April 8 ballot. I want to share a few pertinent points of fact that all in our community should know in order to make an informed decision. Kansas City Public Schools serves roughly 15,000 students, and employs a host of amazing teachers, administrators and other staff members who have worked diligently to bring our district to full accreditation status. Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in our Annual Performance Report score, increase in enrollment, increase of the graduation rate to nearly 90%, band and orchestra offered in all elementary schools, as well as other programming tailored to meet the academic and socio-emotional needs of our children. We've seen national recognition in science, technology, engineering and math, as we were named the 2024 Discovery Channel Education District of the Year. Our students engage in real-world learning as they develop apps that boost energy efficiency, make prosthetic limbs and run their own in-school restaurants. Additionally, we have almost two dozen state medalists in band, orchestra and vocals. A yes vote April 8 would mean a $474 million general obligation bond for KCPS and nine local charter schools. While we'd love to see extravagant additions, these funds would primarily address some of the critical deficiencies and decades' worth of deferred maintenance in our buildings, including upgrades to safety and security systems, secure entry points and fixes to elevators, heating and cooling, roofs, windows, electrical systems, plumbing and bathrooms. School districts in Missouri tackle these issues with bonds, passing them every three to seven years. KCPS is the only school district in the region without a bond. In fact, Kansas City hasn't passed a school bond since 1967. Let's consider this fact in context. In 1967, the Chiefs were in Super Bowl I. The Royals didn't exist yet, and putting a man on the moon was still a dream unrealized. Speaking of dreams, we weren't far removed from Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech. There's been a lot of history since 1967 — and no bond funding for Kansas City's children during that entire time. Every child deserves a quality education, from pre-kindergarten through high school. We believe that. We believe it so much that we are welcoming nine Kansas City charter schools to join us in this monumental, historical pursuit. These funds would go a long way toward ensuring Kansas City's children are able to learn in educational environments that are not only warm, safe and dry, but ones that also inspire creativity, critical thinking and a passion for learning. We've reached a defining moment in the life of Kansas City, and on April 8 our community will decide what history will say of our commitment and care for our children, and thus the hopes and future of our city. The health and well-being of any community is inextricably tied to how well it takes care of its children. One decision leads to educational spaces that match the achievements of our students. It communicates to our children that they matter and that we believe in them and their future. The other decision leads to classrooms and hallways that continue to degrade, that send a message to our children that they are not important. The spaces we expect you to learn in every day don't matter. One decision costs the average homeowner a cup of coffee a week — 64 cents a day, an equivalent of approximately $20 a month. The other decision might yield no immediate cost, but would inevitably cost a lot more in the long run. A strong city can't exist without strong schools. No local economy has ever thrived in the shadow of crumbling schools. We are at a proverbial fork in the road, with a grand opportunity to usher this city into a new era. Which path will you choose? As you cast your ballot, I want to make one request: Imagine one of Kansas City's children in that voting booth with you. What do they deserve? What message are you going to send to them? Dr. Jennifer Collier is superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools.
