The Kansas City, Kansas, school board has voted to notify the public that it plans to collect more property tax money next year. This decision allows the board to keep its options open as it prepares to approve a final budget and tax rate later this summer.

Background

The board is required to publicly announce its intention to “exceed revenue neutral,” which means setting a property tax rate that will bring in more revenue than the district collected during the current year. The district faces at least $10 million in increased costs compared with the current year, according to Danita Robinson, executive director of business and finance.

Some board members, including Valdenia Winn, Pamela Penn-Hicks, and Wanda Brownlee Paige, voted against exceeding revenue neutral, arguing that the district can make cuts to the budget without harming students’ education. Winn suggested establishing a subcommittee to review expenses related to travel, cellphones, accessories, data plans, and AI subscriptions with an eye to savings.

Other board members, including Yolanda Clark, Robert Milan Jr., Joycelyn Strickland-Egans, and Randy Lopez, voted to exceed revenue neutral, citing the need to provide students with the best possible education and to maintain the district’s reserve funds.

Public Reaction

Public commenters weighed in on both sides of the issue, with some arguing that the district should not exceed revenue neutral due to the financial burden on local property owners. Others argued that exceeding revenue neutral is necessary to provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

Superintendent Anna Stubblefield pleaded with board members to stop treating one another as enemies and to work together to find solutions. She also asked audience members who are “believers” to consider whether they are being “Christlike” and giving each other grace.

Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.