SMSD VOTERS PASS LOB AND BOND ELECTION

In the district’s first mail-in ballot election, held from January 7 - 27, 2015,   Shawnee Mission voters endorsed both a local option budget (LOB) and bond   proposal questions. 

The Committee for Excellence served as the official campaign organization and primary advocacy group on behalf of the district, conducting many different   promotional efforts to encourage the “yes vote.” 

Voters overwhelmingly approved maintaining the LOB at the current level of 33   percent by 83 percent in favor and 17 percent in opposition. Voters also approved a $223 million bond for districtwide capital improvements with approximately 80.5 percent voting in favor of the bond and 19.5 percent voting against. 

The $223 million bond will provide safety and security improvements, reinvest in   district facilities, update and enhance technology infrastructure, and support instruction, activities, and wellness efforts districtwide. As a result of the bond, five elementary schools, one in each of the high school geographic areas of the school district, will be rebuilt.

“I am thankful to the Shawnee Mission community for their support of these important initiatives,” said Jim Hinson, superintendent. “The opportunity to plan facilities and instructional spaces to support the district’s comprehensive educational programs is essential. Through their support, voters have signaled the value they place on education and validated the importance of keeping their schools strong.” 

Last spring, patrons in the district responding to a survey indicated a strong desire to support improvements, both educationally and with regard to facilities and infrastructure, that would benefit students. According to the Johnson County Election Office, 139,485 ballots were issued to registered voters in the school district. On the LOB question, 35,197 votes were received in favor of the measure and 7,213 votes were cast in opposition. The bond initiative received 34,218 votes in favor of the bond with 8,253 votes in opposition. 

Since its founding in 1985, The Committee for Excellence has worked tirelessly on numerous election campaigns in support of the Shawnee Mission School District.