Elections

To vote in any school district election, you must register to vote at least four weeks before the election date. Voters must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of residency when registering to vote.

Jackson County residents may register at any Mid-Continent Public Library, any Missouri license bureau, all area city hall offices, at the Jackson County Election Office on the Independence Courthouse Square and at the Jackson County Election Office’s Independence Center site.

Cass County residents may register at all area city hall offices (including Lake Winnebago), public libraries and the Cass County Election Office in Harrisonville.

You must also re-register if you have changed your address or your name. For more information about registering to vote, call 325-4600 (Jackson County voters), 380-8100 (Cass County voters) or 842-4820 (Kansas City voters).

By visiting the Missouri Voter Outreach Center website and entering your address, you can locate your polling place, determine your precinct number, find upcoming elections and view candidates and issues.

By visiting the following websites, you can learn about absentee voting in our three jurisdictions:

• Jackson County Election Board
• Kansas City Board of Elections
• Cass County Elections

82.2% for bond (passed required 4/7 ths) (no tax rate increase)

$224 million (no tax rate increase)

Bond Issue:

• East Trails Middle School ($72 Million)
• Lee’s Summit High School renovations ($80 million)
• Middle school renovations ($25 million)
• Mason Elementary renovations ($16 million)
• Second early education center ($9 million)
• High school activity improvements ($19 million)
• Safety and security upgrades ($3 million)

79.3% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths) Bond: 6,413 YES votes and 1,675 NO votesBond: $40 million (no-tax-increase)

Bond Issue:

• New Summit Technology Academy / Missouri Innovation Campus

• Elementary school improvements – Greenwood Elementary ADA access and gym renovation; Hazel Grove Elementary kitchen renovation; Longview Farm Elementary concrete at kindergarten wings; Lee’s Summit Elementary health room renovation, drop-off lane and kitchen renovation; Meadow Lane Elementary track upgrade/repair and basement renovation; Mason Elementary gym expansion, classroom renovation, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access; Pleasant Lea Elementary health room/office renovation; Prairie View Elementary north gym isolation; Richardson Elementary additional parking; Trailridge Elementary restroom sink replacement; Underwood Elementary cafeteria renovation.

• Middle school and high school improvements – Bernard Campbell student entry doors replacement and locker painting; Pleasant Lea locker replacement; Summit Lakes sound system; Lee’s Summit High School science classrooms renovation; Lee’s Summit North High School entry re-design (safety/security); Lee’s Summit West High School restrooms/concession area for baseball and softball area.

• Special education projects – Highland Park Elementary life skills classroom restrooms; Miller Park Center upstairs renovation, gym floor upgrade and kitchenette.
• Maintenance projects at numerous schools including playground work – playground safety upgrades to all elementary schools’ soft play areas and replacement of deteriorated play equipment; maintenance projects at numerous schools including flooring, carpet, ceilings, painting, roofing, paving, mechanical, doors, windows, FOBS, backflows, water sanitizing and masonry; capital projects included would impact all Lee’s Summit R-7 schools.

63% against levy (failed – required simple majority)

Levy: 9,664 NO votes and 5,709 YES votes

Levy: operating tax levy increase of $0.89 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for general operating purposes

Levy Issue:

• Maintain the quality of programs and services for students.
• Allow the district to avoid most of the approximately $6 million in additional cost containment for 2011-12 and 2012-13.
• Eliminate a portion of current cost-containment measures.
• Limit further class size growth.
• Protect R-7 property values by ensuring continuation of our quality educational system.
• Limit elementary combination classrooms in the future.
• Provide resources for the district to work toward its goal of comparable salaries for teachers and staff.
• Allow the district to “continue its legacy of excellence” for all students.

65% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths)

Bond: 7,083 YES votes and 3,757 NO votes

Bond: $16 million (no-tax-increase)

Bond Issue:

• Hazel Grove Elementary – construction of first-grade classroom, art room, music room; renovations to office, focus room, staff work room; new public restrooms and storage areas.
• Bernard Campbell Middle School – new gymnasium.
• Pleasant Lea Middle School – remodeling of teacher planning center and student counseling area.
• Instructional and operational technology improvements.
• Resurfacing of all three middle-school tracks.
• Lee’s Summit North High School – two unlighted women’s softball fields.
• Lee’s Summit High School – 7,700-square-foot multi-use physical-education/activity/athletic building.
• Lee’s Summit High School – remodeling of current multi-use physical-education/activity/athletic building to create a district-wide robotics center.
• Renovation of existing tennis courts at all three high schools.
• Replacement of the existing grass turf at all three high schools’ stadiums with multi-use, all-weather artificial turf.
• Sixth phase of the district’s ongoing performance contracting energy-conservation efforts.
• Capital improvements at schools across the district including flooring renovations, painting, paving, roofing and general maintenance.
• New school buses and improvements to the existing bus parking area.
• Purchase of approximately 35 to 40 acres for a future R-7 middle school.

72.4% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths)    64.6% for Prop C (required simple majority)

Bond: 8,072 YES votes and 3,083 NO votes    Prop C: 7,159 YES votes and 3,919 NO votes

Bond: $54 million (no-tax-increase)    Prop C: 20 cent (no-tax-increase)

Bond Issue:

• Construction of Sunset Valley Elementary — opened fall of 2009.
• All-day kindergarten classrooms and support classrooms.
• Great Beginnings Early Education Center – construction of two classrooms.
• Mason Elementary School – Addition of four classrooms, school improvements and new cafeteria/kitchen space.
• Hazel Grove Elementary – remodeling of classrooms and office area.
• Lee’s Summit High School – improvements in classrooms, broadcast journalism editing studio and family and consumer science rooms.
• Lee’s Summit North High School – Addition of industrial technology lab, band storage room, docking/mechanical space and hallways.
• Lee’s Summit West High School – planned addition of 18 classrooms to increase school’s capacity by 357 students.
• Instructional technology.
• Miller Park Center, remodeled facility to serve special needs students previously served outside district.
• R-7 Aquatic Center, self-supporting swim/dive facility — opened fall of 2009.
• Marching band uniform replacement at LSHS and LSNHS.
• Portable bleachers (district-wide use).
• Capital projects (repairs and improvements) at several schools/other sites.
• School bus purchases/parking lot improvements.

75% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths)

Bond: 17,747 YES votes and 5,835 NO votes

Bond: $32 million (no-tax-increase)

Bond Issue:

• Construction of Summit Pointe Elementary School — opened fall of 2007.
• Additions at Pleasant Lea and Summit Lakes Middle Schools.
• Improvements/renovations at Bernard Campbell Middle School.
• Additions and improvements at all three high schools.
• Technology enhancements and improvements.
• Construction of new Stansberry Leadership Center on district owned land just east of LSNHS.
• District warehouse addition.
• Repairs and improvements at approximately two-thirds of existing R-7 schools.
• School bus purchases to meet growth needs, replace older vehicles.

74% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths)    55.8% for levy (passed – required simple majority)

Bond: 10,662 YES votes and 3,756 NO votes    Levy: 8,012 YES votes and 6,358 NO Votes

Bond issue: $25 million (no-tax-increase) Levy:  59-cent operational levy

Bond Issue:

• Construction of Longview Farm Elementary School — opened fall of 2005
• Additions at Pleasant Lea and Summit Lakes Middle Schools.
• Construction of new Great Beginnings Early Childhood Center — opened summer 2005
• Addition at Meadow Lane Elementary School.
• Technology enhancements and improvements.
• Numerous capital projects at schools throughout the district.
• Energy conservation improvements to increase efficiency, save costs.
• School bus purchases to meet growth needs, replace older vehicles

Levy Issue:

• Maintain school district’s quality educational programs in the face of dramatic reductions in state funds.
• Meet ongoing growth needs.
• Reduce class sizes that do not meet state standards.
• Reduce the number of elementary combination classrooms.
• Provide conservative salary increases for R-7 staff.

76% for bond (passed – required 4/7ths)    62% for levy (passed – required simple majority)

Bond: 9,593 YES votes and 3,084 NO votes    Levy: 7,841 YES votes and    4,816 NO votes

Bond issue: $67 million (no-tax-increase) Levy: 25-cent operational levy

Bond Issue:

• Lee’s Summit West High School ($46.5 million) — opened fall of 2004.
• Renovation of four elementaries-Greenwood, Lee’s Summit, Pleasant Lea and Westview ($7 million).
• Summit Ridge Academy (secondary alternative school) ($2.25 million).
• Renovation of Lee’s Summit High School ($7 million).
• Upgrade of instructional technology ($2 million).
• Relocation of and construction of Facilities Services ($1.75 million).
• Additional school buses ($500,000).

Levy Issue:

• Funding to hire additional staff to meet growth needs.
• Funding to  provide salary increases for R-7 staff.
• Enhancement of instructional technology.
• Funding for a 7th- and 8th-grade middle-level education program.
• Funding for a gifted program for primary (K-3) students.

63 % for bond (passed – required four-sevenths)

11,184 YES votes and 6,482 NO votes

$31 million (12-cent property tax increase)

Bond Issue:

• Hawthorn Hill Elementary and Woodland Elementary ($17 million) — opened fall 2001.
• Improvements to existing schools ($7.2 million) — LSHS lecture hall addition, PAC improvements, enclose breezeway, musical instrument storage, window replacement; library additions at Hazel Grove, Mason, Pleasant Lea Elementary Schools, new computer labs at Hazel Grove and PLE; parking improvements at Hazel Grove; gym floor replacement at Pleasant Lea Middle School.
• Lee’s Summit North High School addition for classrooms ($5.3 million).
• Acquisition of land for future school sites ($1.5 million).

78 % for bond issue (passed – required 4/7ths majority)

7,862 YES votes and 2,154 NO votes

$23 million (no tax increase)
 

Bond Issue:

• Summit Lakes Middle School’s first phase ($15,000,000) — opened fall 2000.
• Air conditioning for R-7 schools ($7,500,000) — includes LSHS, Greenwood Elem., Hazel Grove Elem., Lee’s Summit Elem., Pleasant Lea Elem., Prairie View Elem. (basement only) and Westview Elem.

VOTERS ELECT HEATHER ESLICK AND JENNIFER FOLEY ON APRIL 5: Based on unofficial election results, the two winners received the following number of votes: 6,473 for Jennifer Foley and 6,202 for Heather Eslick. Five additional candidates were on the April 5 ballot, including Larry Anderson (4,023 votes), Mike Allen (3,078 votes), Melissa Kelly Foxhoven (2,722 votes), William Lindsay (904) votes, Anne Geanes (753 votes) and Joseph Yacaginsky (406 votes).

VOTERS ELECT RYAN MURDOCK AND RODRICK SPARKS ON APRIL 6: Based on unofficial election results, the two winners received the following number of votes: 3,744 votes for Ryan Murdock and 3,017 for Rodrick Sparks. Five candidates were on the April 6 ballot, also including Christine T. Bushyhead, receiving 2,941 votes, Michelle Surber, receiving 2,159 votes, and Monte Helm, receiving 459 votes.

VOTERS ELECT MEGAN MARSHALL, KIM FRITCHIE AND KATHY CAMPBELL ON JUNE 2. Based on unofficial election results, the three winners received the following number of votes: 6,973 for Megan Marshall, 6,748 for Kim Fritchie and 4,791 for Kathy Campbell. Nine candidates were on the June 2 ballot, also including Christine T. Bushyhead, receiving 3,169 votes, Mark A. Leetch, receiving 2,934 votes, Matt A. Niewald, receiving 2,719 votes, Larry Todd Anderson, receiving 2,165 votes, Brian T. Austerman, receiving 2,087 votes, and David E. Thompson, receiving 1,187 votes.

VOTERS ELECT JUDY HEDRICK AND MICHAEL ALLEN ON APRIL 2. Based on unofficial election results, the two winners received the following number of votes: 4,214 for Dr. Hedrick and 4,131 for Mr. Allen. Eight candidates were on the April 2nd ballot, also including Michael McMenus, receiving 908 votes, Paul Dornon, receiving 180 votes, Bill Birmingham, Jr., receiving 954 votes, Amy Turgon, receiving 751 votes, Donald Olson, receiving 314 votes and Kathy Campbell, receiving 1,265 votes.

VOTERS ELECT JULIE DOANE AND RYAN MURDOCK ON APRIL 3. Julie Doane and Ryan Murdock were elected to the Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of Education on April 3. The two winners received the following number of votes: 5,756 for Mrs. Doane and 4,700 for Mr. Murdock. Other candidates were John Schuler, receiving 3,165 votes, and Michael McMenus receiving 1,928 votes.

VOTERS ELECT KIM FRITCHIE, JACQUELINE (JACKIE MCENTIRE) CLARK AND DENNIS D. SMITH ON APRIL 4. Kim Fritchie, Jacqueline (Jackie McEntire) Clark and Dennis D. Smith were elected to the Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of Education on April 4. Mrs. Fritchie received 5,319 votes, Mrs. Clark received 4,335 votes and Mr. Smith received 2,990 votes. Other candidates, listed in filing order, were Susan D. Coffman (2,660 votes), Carl J. Quijas (637 votes), Mark Dziedzic (676 votes), Ryan N. Murdock (2,377 votes), Diego Gutierrez (2,907 votes), Michael W. McMenus (706 votes), Jill Worstell (1,673 votes) and Mark S. Augustin (797 votes).

PHYLLIS BALAGNA AND BOB WHITE SWORN IN AT THE APRIL 14 BOARD MEETING. Two people — Mrs. Balagna and Mr. White — filed for two seats on the Board of Education in winter 2015-2016, and no election was held for these positions during April.

VOTERS ELECT JULIE DOANE AND ADAM RUTHERFORD ON APRIL 7. Julie Doane and Adam Rutherford were elected to the Lee’s Summit Board of Education on April 7. Mrs. Doane received 5,527 votes, and Adam Rutherford received 4,105 votes. William Lindsey was also a candidate and received 2,687 votes.

VOTERS ELECT TERRI HARMON, CHRIS STORMS AND BILL BAIRD ON APRIL 8. Terri Harmon, Chris Storms and Bill Baird were elected to the Lee’s Summit Board of Education on April 8. Mrs. Harmon received 4, 243 votes. Bill Baird received 4, 045 votes, and Chris Storms received 3, 535 votes. Mark Ousnamer was also a candidate, and he received 2, 387 votes.

PHYLLIS BALAGNA AND BOB WHITE SWORN IN AT THE APRIL 11 BOARD MEETING. Two people — Mrs. Balagna and Mr. White — filed for two seats on the Board of Education in winter 2012-2013, and no election was held for these positions during April.

PATTI BUIE, RON BAKER AND PHYLLIS BALAGNA SWORN IN AT THE APRIL 12 BOARD MEETING. Two people — Mrs. Buie and Mr. Baker — filed for two seats on the Board of Education in winter 2011-2012, and no election was held for these positions during April. Ms. Balagna was appointed by the Board of Education to serve a one-year term following the February resignation of Annette Braam, who has moved out of the school district.

VOTERS ELECT JACK WILEY, TERRI HARMON AND CHRIS STORMS ON APRIL 5
Jack Wiley, Terri Harmon and Chris Storms were elected to the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Board of Education on April 5, 2011. Mr. Wiley received 3,592 votes, Mrs. Harmon received 3,488 votes and Mr. Storms received 3,300 votes. Other candidates were Jon Plaas who received 2,257 votes, and Mike Smith, who received 2,097 votes.

VOTERS ELECT ANNETTE BRAAM AND GENE BRIXEY ON APRIL 6
Annette Braam and Gene Brixey were elected to the R-7 Board of Education during the April 6 election. Mrs. Braam received 6,816 votes, and Mr. Brixey received 5,847 votes. Other candidates included Jimmie Colbert, who received 3,969 votes.

VOTERS ELECT PATTI BUIE AND RON BAKER ON APRIL 7
Patti Buie and Ron Baker were elected to the R-7 Board of Education during the April 7 election. Mrs. Buie received 2,594 votes, and Mr. Baker received 2,624 votes. Other candidates included Sherri Tucker, who received 1,061 votes, and Craig Belser, who received 596 votes.

VOTERS ELECT JEFF TINDLE, JACK WILEY AND JON PLAAS ON APRIL 8
Winners in the Board of Education race were Jeff Tindle with 6,925 votes, Jack Wiley with 6,557 votes and Jon Plaas with 5,065 votes. Sherri Tucker, who was also a candidate, received 4,679 votes.

Gene Brixey and Michael Dodig were both sworn in during early April 2007 as returning members of the Board of Education. Mr. Brixey and Mr. Dodig were the only candidates to file for just two seats on the Board of Education this spring, so the R-7 School District did not hold a Board of Education election during April 2007.State statutes allow school districts to forego an election when there are uncontested school board races. Mr. Brixey and Mr. Dodig were both elected to the R-7 Board of Education in April 2004.

VOTERS ELECT PATTI BUIE AND MANNE MAGADY ON APRIL 4 Pattie Buie and Manne Magady were elected to the Board of Education during the April 4 election. Patti Buie received 13,349 votes and Manne Magady received 10,440 votes. The other candidate in the race, Dennis Jackson, received 8,745 votes.

VOTERS ELECT JEFF TINDLE, JON PLAAS AND JACK WILEY ON APRIL 5
Jeff Tindle, Jon Plaas and Jack Wiley were elected to the Board of Education during the April 5 election. Jeff Tindle received 4,366 votes, Jack Wiley received 4,230 votes and Jon Plaas received 3,166 votes. Other candidates in the race were Dennis Jackson, 2,436 votes and Roy Mussett 1,044 votes.

VOTERS ELECT MICHAEL DODIG AND GENE BRIXEY ON APRIL 6
Michael Dodig and Gene Brixey were elected to the Board of Education during the April 6 election.  Michael Dodig received 6,449 votes, and Gene Brixey received 5,275 votes.  Other candidates in the race were Dan Wilson, 3,244 votes; Gary Mandernach, 2,261 votes; Jack Wiley, 1,368 votes; Dennis Todd Gochenour, 1,119 votes; Steven Mize, 3,002 votes; and James Howell, 1,234 votes.

VOTERS ELECT PATTI BUIE AND MANNE MAGADY ON APRIL 8
Patti Buie and Manne Magady were re-elected to the Board of Education during the April 8 election. Patti Buie received 1,697 votes, and Manne Magady received 1,682 votes. Both Board members were unopposed in the election this year. This is Mrs. Buie’s second term on the Board and Mr. Magady’s third term.

VOTERS ELECT ANNETTE BRAAM, JON PLAAS AND JEFF TINDLE TO BOARD OF EDUCATION ON APRIL 2
Annette Braam, Jon Plaas and Jeff Tindle were elected to the Board of Education during the April 2 election. Jeff Tindle received 7,727 votes, Annette Braam received 7,354 votes, and Jon Plaas received 6,128 votes. Candidate Thomas L. Krahenbuhl received 4,672 votes. This is Mr. Tindle’s second term on the Board of Education, and Mrs. Braam and Mr. Plaas are serving their first terms.

VOTERS ELECT MARY STILLEY AND TOM ZAMMAR TO BOARD OF EDUCATION ON APRIL 3
Mary Stilley and Tom Zammar were both elected to the Board of Education during an April 3 election. Mary Stilley received 2,479 votes, and Tom Zammar received 2,126 votes. Candidate William F. Brittendall received 954 votes. This is Mrs. Stilley’s third term on the R-7 Board of Education and Mr. Zammar’s second term.

VOTERS ELECT PATTI BUIE AND MANNE MAGADY TO BOARD OF EDUCATION ON APRIL 4, 2000
Lee’s Summit R-7 School District voters elected Patti Buie and Manne Magady to the Board of Education on April 4, 2000. Board members are elected at-large and serve three-year terms.