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Independence district pitches new pre-K–8 building and blended financing plan for May 2026 ballot
Summary
Superintendent Kelly Kogan presented a plan for a 125,530-square-foot pre-K–8 school and proposed a combined financing approach — a 0.75-mill bond plus a 1% school-district earned-income tax — to fund construction and long-term facilities, with design starting if voters approve in May 2026.
Superintendent Kelly Kogan told the Independence City Council the district needs a new pre‑K–8 building to replace aging facilities that lack modern safety, accessibility and learning infrastructure. The district presented a 125,530‑square‑foot design with a planning figure of $425 per square foot that includes furniture, technology and contingency costs and said a bond on the May 2026 ballot would be for about $59.5 million.
Kogan said the district has experienced recent failures that illustrate the urgency: Independence Middle School closed because of a corroded pipe and Independence Primary School suffered a major roof leak. She argued renovation carries hidden risks and recurring costs, including the need for swing‑space trailers that can cost $200,000–$300,000 and the safety challenges of phased work around occupied classrooms. "Renovation brings…
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