The Shawnee Mission School District will ask voters to approve $370 million in general obligation bonds on March 2, 2027.

All seven board members voted to authorize the mail-in ballot election at the board's Monday, Nov. 9 meeting, according to draft meeting minutes. Board member Heather Ousley moved the resolution, and David Westbrook seconded it.

The bond proposal, described as a no-tax-increase plan, would fund rebuilding Belinder and Rosehill elementary schools, constructing a Career Technical Campus serving students districtwide, and a long list of facility upgrades. Those include secondary school renovations, HVAC upgrades, roof replacements, cycle turf replacement, building envelope repair, security enhancements, middle school tracks, practice facility lighting, performing arts upgrades, soccer complex renovations and ADA accessibility improvements.

Deputy Superintendent David Stubblefield presented the final bond recommendation. Chief Communications Officer Jake Potter outlined a possible bond theme and timeline, and Chief Financial Officer Allison Staroski detailed the election schedule.

The board also approved architectural firms for bond-related projects in a separate 7-0 vote. Hollis+Miller was selected for the new Belinder Elementary at an estimated cost of $2,047,500 in architectural fees. Incite Design Studios was tapped for the new Rosehill Elementary at $2,543,950. DLR Group will handle design for the Indian Hills Middle School cafeteria expansion ($232,500) and Shawnee Mission West High School CTE classroom space renovation ($330,000). HTK Architects was selected for Arrowhead Day School improvements ($109,300). Final contracts depend on the bond passing.

Construction management firms were also chosen: McCownGordon Construction for the Rosehill rebuild, Newkirk Novak Construction for Belinder, and Whiting-Turner for the Indian Hills and Shawnee Mission West projects. All contracts are contingent on bond approval.

YouTube blocked, Google AI poses new challenge

Superintendent Schumacher said students will lose access to YouTube on district-issued devices starting in January, a change he recommended. He acknowledged the transition will not be easy, noting that teachers rely on the platform for educational content.

Teachers will keep YouTube access on their staff devices for classroom presentations. The district is also working to let its learning management system, Canvas, safely embed specific YouTube links for student assignments so students see only assigned videos.

Schumacher also flagged a growing challenge with Google. He said Google's leadership stated that "search and AI are deeply integrated, and schools that ban AI will not have access to Google Search." The district wants to maintain Google Search for student research without being forced to allow access to Google Gemini or other generative AI platforms. Schumacher said more information would come in future updates.

Other board actions

The board unanimously renewed Superintendent Schumacher's contract through June 30, 2029. Westbrook moved the item, and Mario Garcia III seconded it.

Board member Jamie Borgman said she regretted voting for a pre-kindergarten tuition increase approved on the consent agenda. She said she hopes the district explores ways to subsidize funding for its youngest learners and keep pre-K affordable. Schumacher had noted the last tuition increase was in November 2024 and that the district receives only 50% reimbursement for pre-K enrollment. He said families meeting at-risk factors would not pay full tuition.

Schumacher announced that pre-K and kindergarten enrollment for the 2027-2028 school year will open soon. Children must turn 4 (pre-K) or 5 (kindergarten) on or before Aug. 31, 2027, to be eligible. Pre-K is offered at 21 of the district's 34 elementary schools as a half-day program, with no-fee options for qualifying families. Full-day kindergarten is available at all 34 buildings.

Schumacher also shared that Corinth Elementary was ranked the top elementary school in Kansas by U.S. News and World Report's 2027 rankings. Westwood View and Brookwood placed in the top 10. Roesland Elementary was named a National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School, one of two schools per state to receive the honor.

The next regular board meeting is Dec. 14.