All eyes on KC as school bond decisions loom across Missouri 

KCPS seeks its first bond approval since 1967, but it’s just one of dozens of districts asking voters to fund facilities, teacher pay, and school safety upgrades. 

Aligned provides a synopsis of what is on the ballot next week. 

Missouri voters face pivotal decisions this April on education-related measures, including school board races, four-day school weeks, tax levies, and significant bond proposals. A focal point is the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) attempt to secure its first bond approval since 1967—a $474 million general obligation bond aimed at extensive districtwide improvements. 

The bond would increase property taxes by $0.61 per $100 of assessed valuation if approved. If passed, a home with a market value of $200,000 will be levied an additional $230 in property tax per year. The proposed funds would support: 

• Deferred maintenance: Replacing aging HVAC, roofing, plumbing, and electrical systems. 
• Modern learning environments: Renovating schools to meet today's educational needs better. 
• Grade reconfiguration: Transitioning sixth grade to middle school and reopening Southwest High as a middle school. 

In a recent blog post, Aligned explained how bonds can impact classrooms and looked at measures in both states, including a measure that narrowly failed in Wichita. 

According to School Bond Finder, in 2024 nearly 1 in 4 school district bond elections failed. Since 2015, Missouri has passed 531 bond measures, rejecting only 80 (85% success rate). Missouri requires either a 57.14% or 66.67% supermajority depending on the election date—April is among the more favorable windows. 

Not all school bonds raise taxes. Some are structured as no-tax-increase bonds, allowing districts to issue new debt while maintaining the same property tax rate—typically by replacing retiring bond debt. Others do propose an increase to the district’s debt service mill levy, which can be a tougher sell to voters. 

As Farmington R-7 puts it, “Bonds are for building, levies are for learning.” While catchy, it’s important to note that both bonds and operations rely on property tax revenues (levies) — the key difference is whether voters are being asked to increase, maintain, or repurpose those levies to fund capital projects or ongoing expenses like salaries and programs. 

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District, Strain Japan R-XVI, Sunrise R-IX, Williard R-II, Smithville R-II, Excelsior Springs 40, Park Hill School District, and Oak Grove R-VI are among those looking to voters for tax levy increases to boost teacher pay to help with recruitment and retention. 

Advice from the Field: How to Pass a School Bond 

In an April 29, 2024, Education Week article, three superintendents shared what it takes to win voter support for school bond proposals. One of them was Kenny Rodriquez, superintendent of Grandview School District in Jackson County, Missouri, who successfully passed a $50 million no-tax-increase bond—even as voters rejected a high-profile stadium tax proposal on the same ballot. 

Rodrequez offers this advice: 

• Build trust. Voters need confidence in the district and its leadership. 
• Be transparent. Clearly explain what the bond funds and its cost to taxpayers. 
• Show the impact. Share tools that illustrate effects on different property values. 
• Engage consistently. Host meetings, livestream events, and offer live Q&A. 
• Clarify the message. Distinguish your bond from other ballot measures, like Rodrequez did with the Grandview bond versus the stadium proposal. 

The Missouri State Auditor reviews and registers general obligation bonds. Aligned looked at several Missouri school bond proposals that passed in 2024 and found a few common threads in what resonated with voters. Bonds varied in size—from $4.3 million to nearly $16 million—but shared a focus on blending essential upgrades with visible, student-centered improvements. 

• Mexico School District No. 59 passed an $8 million bond to fund HVAC and fire alarm upgrades, a classroom addition, kitchen renovations, and athletic improvements—including turf and tennis courts—plus upgrades to multiple playgrounds. 

• Hannibal 60 School District earned voter approval for a $15.85 million bond to build an Innovation Campus, renovate school auditoriums, and upgrade stadium restrooms and bleachers for ADA compliance. The funds also allowed the district to prepay lease obligations. 

• Benton County R-IX proposed a new 5th-grade wing with a storm shelter and art/science addition at the high school, plus upgrades to restrooms and elementary playgrounds, all funded through its successful bond. 

• Lebanon R-III School District secured $11.3 million to add classrooms at two elementary schools and make capital improvements districtwide, including at the high school. 

• Maryville R-II passed a $9 million bond to enhance safety with secure entrances, reconfigure drop-off zones, expand learning space by removing outdated labs, and install synthetic turf at the athletic complex. 

• Northwest R-I used its $9 million bond for secure entryways, surveillance system upgrades, classroom reconfigurations to improve safety, and improvements to playgrounds and athletic facilities. 

• Marionville R-IX passed a $4.3 million bond to build a new early childhood center, improve K–8 campus security, and construct new baseball and softball fields. 

These projects show that when districts pair practical needs with projects families and voters can see and experience, they're more likely to earn approval at the ballot box. 

School Board Races 

With more than 550 school districts across Missouri, tracking every local school board election is too big of a task. But a few races stand out for their potential impact and public interest. 

In St. Louis Public Schools, 12 candidates are running to fill three seats where questions about spending and leadership changes have fueled tension. 

Meanwhile, outside funding in Springfield Public Schools—the state's largest district—has flowed into the school board race, raising the stakes. According to campaign finance filings, candidates collectively raised more than $90,000, with some drawing support from political action committees and local organizations. 

These high-profile races signal growing public attention to local school board governance and who gets to shape decisions about curriculum, staffing, and spending. 

Four-Day School Week 

In 2024, Missouri enacted SB 727, requiring that, starting with the 2026-27 school year, school districts located wholly or partially in charter counties or cities with over 30,000 inhabitants must obtain voter approval to adopt or continue a four-day school week. This legislation applies to about half of the state. 

Crystal City School District in Jefferson County and Lone Jack C-6 School District in Jackson County are both asking voters whether they may continue using a four-day week—Lone Jack technically doesn’t have a four-day week. However, they have a calendar with 157 student days – the law requires 169. Their ballot questions reflect a broader trend: more than 140 Missouri districts, primarily located in rural parts of the state, have moved to four-day weeks in recent years due to budget constraints. 

Aligned’s take: This April, Missouri voters won't just decide who sits on school boards—they'll help determine what kinds of buildings, schedules, and supports will shape the future of public education in their communities. 

Linda Rallo (left) and Torree Pederson (right) pictured with Governor Mike Kehoe enjoyed a networking reception honoring women at the Missouri Governor's Mansion. PHOTO CREDIT: Office of the Missouri Governor.

Missouri Update

Aligned co-sponsors reception celebrating women in government 

This week, Aligned was proud to co-sponsor the Women’s Policy Network of Missouri’s reception with First Lady Claudia Kehoe celebrating women in government and honoring Leann Chilton, Vice President of Government Relations at BJC Healthcare, who is retiring after 25 years of dedicated service. 

Leann, along with Christine Page (formerly with Missouri American Water), Monica Combest (Enterprise Mobility), Ellie Glenn (St. Louis Children’s Hospital), and Aligned’s own Linda Rallo, co-founded the informal networking group in 2016 to create a space for women working in and around the Missouri State Capitol to connect, build relationships, and strengthen professional ties. 

Governor Mike Kehoe made a surprise appearance to honor Leann and share personal anecdotes that underscored her many contributions to healthcare in the Show-Me State. 

Members of the Missouri Supreme Court, state department directors, elected officials, advocates, lobbyists, and staff enjoyed lively conversation throughout the evening. See all the photos here. 

Aligned’s Torree Pederson and Linda Rallo also had a chance to thank the Governor for his continued support on child care and school finance reform issues. 

Senate Advances Child Care Tax Credit, Future Unclear 

This week, the Senate Committee on Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee voted 5-2 to advance SB 455, a childcare tax credit bill sponsored by Senator Lincoln Hough. The legislation mirrors HB 269, championed by Representative Brenda Shields. It proposes three targeted tax credits—each capped at $20 million—to incentivize support for the childcare industry. 

SB 455 received overwhelming support during its hearing in March, with testimony from major employers, business groups, health systems, economic development councils, and child advocacy organizations. Supporters emphasized the measure's potential to ease Missouri's $1.35 billion annual economic loss due to the childcare shortage and to improve workforce participation across the state. 

This legislation is a top priority for Aligned, as we have testified in support of it for three consecutive years. Despite broad backing, its path forward remains uncertain. The two "no" votes came from members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, as another caucus member recently expressed opposition in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

The bill’s importance is underscored by action taken this week by the House Budget Committee to cut proposed funding to improve childcare subsidy payment practices—placing even greater urgency on passing structural solutions like SB 455. 

For more details on Aligned Priority Bills, including other key education measures advancing this session, click here.

Read our weekly report.

Budget and Revenue

This week, the Missouri House completed its version of the $48 billion Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. On Tuesday, Budget Chairman Dirk Deaton (R-Seneca) presented the thirteen appropriation bills to the full House, proposing nearly $2.1 billion less in spending than Governor Mike Kehoe's budget request in January.

During the five-hour debate lawmakers made few substantive changes through the amendment process, and ultimately every budget bill was passed with broad support. Notably, the House budget does not include $107 million of federal funds proposed by the Governor for childcare subsidy payments, which Chairman Deaton said was unreliable and would ultimately have to be funded with general revenue. 

During debate House Democrats offered several amendments, including one to restore the State Adequacy Target to $7,145, which would fully fund the school foundation formula; an attempt to eliminate the $50 million in general revenue proposed for private school vouchers through the MO Scholars Program; and others to fund various community organizations and direct service providers, all of which were rejected. 

Included in the House version, however, was an increase to the childcare subsidy program that would have allowed providers to receive payments based on enrollment rather than attendance, mirroring the private market. Governor Mike Kehoe did include this change in his budget proposal. The House also included $1.2 million from the implementation of sports wagering to fund access to WorkKeys, an online skills tool that helps students, employers, and educational institutions assess needs and opportunities to meet workforce goals. Finally, the budget proposal includes $375 million to fund student transportation and an additional $67 million in grants for school districts to meet the state's minimum teacher salary of $40,000. 

The bill now heads to the Senate where Appropriations Chair Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) has signaled he plans to prioritize fully funding the foundation formula and restoring the childcare subsidy change. 

And finally, March saw a decline in state tax receipts, with revenue falling 2.2% compared to March 2024, bringing the fiscal year-to-date total down by 1.44%, or approximately $134 million less than last year. 

In other news

• St. Louis Community College unveils advanced manufacturing center
• Missouri House passes bipartisan bill restricting cell phones in schools
• Feds order states to certify DEI ban or risk losing education funds
• MU faculty approve community college transfer policy
• Former Higher Ed chief named Chancellor at Missouri State-West Plains

Kansas Update

State Budget Clears Legislature, Heads to Governor's Desk

The Kansas Legislature has passed a $10.63 billion general fund budget for FY 2026 (SB 125), including a 1.5% across-the-board cut in state spending — scaled back from earlier Senate proposals to reduce spending by 3%. Lawmakers pursued a Legislature-led budget process this year, shifting funding priorities in several areas of education and workforce development.

The budget includes modest new investments in both K-12 and higher education, while also trimming several programs across agencies. At the same time, the Legislature approved a budget that results in a smaller ending balance in future years — projecting a deficit of over $460 million by FY 2028.

While the budget now awaits the governor’s signature, many questions remain about its long-term sustainability, particularly considering last year’s tax cuts and their yet-to-be-confirmed revenue impacts. We will learn more once revenue projections come out after the tax filing deadline on April 15.

K-12 Education: Small Gains Amid Program Cuts

K-12 education funding includes a mix of targeted increases and notable reductions. The Legislature added $10 million to Special Education State Aid, following months of advocacy and debate. Still, that increase falls far short of the $72.6 million annual investment proposed by the governor, and below what many districts argue is necessary to meet Kansas’ statutory target of covering 92% of excess costs.

At the same time, lawmakers reduced or eliminated funding for several K-12 initiatives —ranging from literacy to transportation and professional development.

Increases:

• +$10.0M for Special Education State Aid
• +$1.25M for Childcare Accelerator Grants
• +$465K for Fall Enrollment Adjustment
• +$1.8M for Toiletry Kits in schools
• +$185K to implement SB 387, a bill the legislature passed last year to enhance reporting requirements related to district uses of at-risk funds.

Reductions:

• -$10.0M for Kansas Blueprint for Literacy
• -$5.0M for Safe and Secure Schools
• -$1.77M for Professional Development
• -$1.48M for Career and Technical Education Transportation
• -$1.3M for the Mentor Teacher Program
• -$1.0M for Computer Science Grants
• -$361K for the Teacher Excellence Program

Higher Education: Major One-Time Investments

Higher education received substantial new investments focused on systemwide workforce and economic development priorities. These include $71.2 million for the proposed Biomedical Campus and $30 million for a new Health Collaboration Fund. Technical education also saw major boosts, including $14.3 million for two-year college apprenticeships and $10.5 million for a Student Success Initiative. These initiatives align with the state’s broader effort to grow healthcare, aviation, and advanced manufacturing talent pipelines.

At the institutional level, nearly all of Kansas’ public universities and colleges received targeted funding, although some campuses also experienced funding lapses or reductions, particularly in performance-based allocations and debt service adjustments.

Higher Education Systemwide Enhancements:

• +$71.2M for a new Biomedical Campus
• +$30.0M for a Health Collaboration Fund
• +$14.3M for Two-Year College Apprenticeships
• +$12.0M in Regional Growth & Development Grants (for Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, and Fort Hays State University)
• +$10.5M for a Two-Year Student Success Initiative
• +$7.0M for Technical College Operating Grants
• +$5.0M for Career and Technical Education Capital Outlay
• +$5.0M for Aviation Research (Wichita State University)
• +$4.0M for Tiered Technical Education
• +$3.9M for Tuition for Technical Education
• +$3.3M Operating Grant for Washburn University
• +$1.91M for the Medical Student Loan Program
• +$1.0M for the Osteopathic Scholarship Program
• +$750K for Dental School Feasibility Study (Wichita State University and Fort Hays State University)

Reductions and Lapses:

• -$5.0M from Kansas State University’s KSU 105 Extension Program
• -$3.1M for debt service (Kansas State University)
• -$1.0M from Computer Science Grants
• -$829K from Non-Tiered Technical Education
• -$500K from Two-Year College Competitive Grants
• -$398K from Washburn Institute of Technology equipment
• -$179K from the Technical Innovation Program

Public University Highlights:

• University of Kansas Medical Center: +$23.1M for Cancer Center; +$2.7M for the School of Health Professions.

• Pittsburg State University: +$3.8M Regional Growth Grant; +capital and reappropriated funds totaling $24.9M.

• Emporia State University: +$3.8M Regional Growth Grant; +$2.2M for legal/salary costs; -$9M from performance model/student aid.

• Fort Hays State University: +$4.4M Regional Growth Grant; -$9.6M Forsyth Library renovation; -$8.1M for student union debt service.

• Kansas State University: +$14.2M capital improvements; +$2.0M for Veterinary Medicine operations; bonding authority for $128M diagnostic lab.

• Wichita State University: +$5.0M Aviation Research; +$750K Dental School Feasibility Study; bonding authority for a new stadium project.

Education Funding Taskforce Begins Work in Earnest

At its March 31 meeting, the Kansas Education Funding Task Force continued its deep dive into K–12 school finance models from Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Presenters walked through detailed funding mechanisms — covering everything from special education weightings to property tax equalization — and discussed how different states incorporate virtual education, adult learning, and transportation reimbursements.

Members raised questions about how states fund core instruction, define at-risk students, and factor in local tax capacity. Staff committed to follow-ups on key technical items.

Key Themes and What Comes Next

With technical overviews now complete, the task force is shifting from “here’s what” to “so what” — examining why these finance models matter for Kansas. Several themes stood out:

• Funding formulas vary widely: States use different methods to count students assign weights, and define local effort. Some, like Missouri, base funding on “performance districts,” while others like Nebraska apply dozens of discrete allowances.

• Complexity carries cost: Several members noted the administrative burden on districts managing multi-part formulas. Staff will investigate the cost of managing these systems across states.

• Revenue sources matter: Some localities have broader tax bases — including motor vehicle taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes — alongside property taxes.

• Transportation and virtual need attention: States handle transportation aid and virtual education enrollment differently. These areas may need clearer alignment in Kansas.

• Outcomes still unclear: Members emphasized a desire to connect funding mechanisms to student outcomes. Staff will examine whether any states with post-lawsuit funding reforms have shown improvements.

The task force will now begin developing a framework for funding reform in Kansas. Upcoming meetings will focus on analyzing implications, building out priorities, and determining how Kansas might structure a system that meets its needs—balancing equity, adequacy, and administrative feasibility.

The goal: a draft framework by year’s end.

Aligned’s Take: Aligned would be happy to support the Kansas Education Funding Task Force as it begins developing a new framework. We've partnered with Bellwether Education Partners to model potential school finance reforms in Missouri and understand their district-level impacts. Our team also brings subject matter expertise in K–12 funding systems — resources we’re glad to share to inform Kansas’ path forward.

In other news

• Kansas individual income tax revenue collections trending above projections
• Governor Kelly signs eight bills, brings tally to 22 so far
• Kansas governor signs bill relaxing graduate degree requirements for state jobs
• Wichita Public Schools Seeks Applicants for Financial Oversight Committee
• Literacy initiatives to be considered during Kansas State Board of Education’s April meeting

In a recent piece for The 74, education analyst Chad Aldeman makes the compelling case that Steubenville, Ohio, might just be the best school district in America. His deep dive into this high-poverty Rust Belt district’s performance—particularly in early literacy—has captured attention across the education policy community, and for good reason.

As Aldeman reports, Steubenville consistently achieves third grade reading proficiency rates above 95%, outperforming the Ohio state average year after year. These results aren’t new or fleeting—they’ve been steady for more than a decade. In 2022, Steubenville hit 97% proficiency, even as many districts continued to struggle post-pandemic.

So, what’s behind the success? As Aldeman highlights, it’s not more money or smaller class sizes—Steubenville spends about $1,500 less per student than the state average. Instead, it’s about strategic, consistent decisions: a stable leadership team, a 25-year commitment to the “Success for All” curriculum, early access to preschool starting at age three, and an all-hands-on-deck approach where every elementary teacher—regardless of subject—leads a reading group. Students are grouped by reading level, not age, for daily instruction and fluency practice.

Steubenville’s economic challenges remain, but its educational results are a case study in what sustained, focused effort can achieve.

We want to hear from you: What do you think makes a school excellent? Based on your experience, what works? Reply to this email and let us know.

Upcoming Events

Join us June 10–11 as we dig into how school boards and policymakers can navigate today’s fiscal headwinds while keeping students at the center.

We are bringing Dr. Marguerite Roza and the team from Georgetown's Edunomics Lab to Kansas City. Learn about smart school spending directly from the experts—and walk away with a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University.

Register here.

Special thanks to our event sponsors:

Venue Sponsor – Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Platinum Sponsor – Missouri Charter School Association

Gold Sponsors – U.S. Engineering & Holland 1916 Inc.

Bronze Sponsors – JE Dunn Construction, KIDaccount & BMG Advisors

Have a great weekend,

Torree Pederson

President

Aligned

Torree@WeAreAligned.org

(913) 484-4202

Linda Rallo

Vice President

Aligned

Linda@WeAreAligned.org

(314) 330-8442

About Aligned

Aligned is the only state-wide non-profit, nonpartisan business group working in Kansas and Missouri on educational issues impacting the full development of our children, from supporting high-quality early learning to solid secondary programs that provide rigorous academic programs and real-world learning opportunities.

Our vision is that our public education systems in Kansas and Missouri have the resources and flexibility to prepare students to pursue the future of their choice.

We are currently focused on education policies that will strengthen early childhood education, teacher recruitment and retention, and school finance reform.

Learn more about our work.