Shawnee Mission officials propose new early childhood center using capital outlay and bond reserves

Shawnee Mission Public Schools officials on Tuesday outlined plans to use capital outlay funds and remaining bond proceeds to create a new early childhood education center intended to expand pre‑K access, provide full wrap‑around care and centralize specialized services for young learners.

The district’s budget team told the board that capital outlay revenues for the coming year are projected at $47.3 million, with a beginning capital outlay fund balance of about $19 million. That combination gives roughly $67 million available to budget. The district’s anticipated capital outlay budget for 2025–26 is $62 million; after planned refreshes and projected personnel costs, staff say about $6.61 million would remain unallocated for new projects and emergencies, plus a targeted minimum ending balance of $5 million.

Superintendent Dr. Jon (Doctor) Schumacher and finance staffer Russell Knapp presented the numbers and the early childhood recommendation. They said the district is nearing the final phases of its 2021 bond program: voters authorized $264,220,000 in bonds; issue 1…