2020 Bond Issue

On June 2, 2020, LSR7 voters approved a bond package with seven components:

Additional safety and security upgrades at all LSR7 schools
Construction of a new approximately 1,200-student middle school
Renovations and additions at Lee’s Summit High School
Renovations at the district’s existing three middle schools
Expansion and renovation of Mason Elementary School
A second LSR7 early education center
Activity/athletic facility renovations at all three high schools

The components were informed through a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (CFMP) process that began in the fall of 2018. A CFMP committee examined how to meet the district’s future capacity needs and provide the school spaces future students and staff need to thrive.

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Bond Process

Our 2020 bond work followed this timeline:

Phase 1 started in Fall 2018 and focused on capacity — how LSR7 prepares for enrollment growth. The district hosted 11 engagement events and conducted three community surveys that led to boundary changes approved in December 2018.

Phase 2 started in Spring 2019 and focused on instruction — what do future-ready learning environments look like and what do educators need to meet future students’ developmental needs? This phase included nine action teams, including a middle school design process group tasked with studying the impact of moving sixth grade to middle school.

In August 2019, the BOE approved three priorities for the 2019-20 school year, including: Ensure equitable access to future ready learning environments by further engaging stakeholders in the continued implementation of the Comprehensive Facility Master Plan by identifying preK-12 facility projects in anticipation of an April 2020 “no tax increase” bond issue.

In September 2019, the BOE approved preliminary plans to move sixth grade to middle school. That fall the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC), a group of 70 community members, staff members and parents, examined the CFMP work and ultimately decided to recommend construction projects the district should immediately prioritize.

The CAC presented a $224 million no tax rate increase bond package on Dec. 19, 2019 at the BOE regular monthly meeting.

The BOE approved that recommended package on Jan. 23, 2020 by a unanimous 7-0 vote.

Voters approved the bond issue in a June 2, 2020 election.

Sixth Grade to Middle School Transition

Why does LSR7 need a fourth middle school?

Building a fourth middle school is part of a district plan to adapt a 6-8th grade middle school model starting in the 2022-23 school year. Currently, sixth grade is part of elementary school.

Why did the district recommend the sixth grade to middle school transition?

The middle school shift is part of an instruction-driven transition to give sixth graders opportunities to engage in more electives and an advanced curriculum tailored to their needs. At middle school, educators can give sixth graders more attention and support during a crucial developmental stage. The transition to middle school will create new learning opportunities for sixth graders and provide more consistency for all middle school students, who will no longer be transitioning in and out of middle school in two years.

In addition, our school district population is projected to grow by 1,500 students in the next 10 years and the sixth grade shift will provide extra capacity at the elementary level. This extra room will allow elementary schools to invest in more enriched programming at the elementary level, particularly in STEM and Specials areas.

Bonds 101

What is a no tax rate increase bond issue?

A school bond issue is a financing tool used by districts to pay for capital projects, such as new buildings, renovations or land purchases. In a bond issue, districts ask voters if they can issue bonds to borrow money to cover the costs of these capital projects, and pay them back with property tax revenue.

How did LSR7’s 2020 bond issue affect taxpayers?

In a no tax rate increase bond issue, like Lee’s Summit’s June 2020 bond issue, districts ask voters to hold the tax rate at the same rate in order to fund future facility needs. The district asked voters to keep the debt service tax rate at $1.07 in order to fund the 2020 bond issue projects.

What type of majority is required for approval of the bond issue?

Voter approval requires a four-sevenths majority or 57.14 percent.