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Meeting participants approve ballot language to allow a four-day school week despite pending litigation
Summary
Meeting participants voted to approve ballot language required by Missouri State Statute 171.028 to permit placing a four-day school week question on a future ballot; staff said removal is possible if courts rule against the proposal but the district could be responsible for printing costs.
Meeting participants voted to approve ballot language required by Missouri State Statute 171.028 that would allow a measure establishing a four-day school week to be placed on the November ballot.
The motion to approve the ballot language was made and seconded, and the measure carried by voice vote. The transcript records the vote as affirmative in the room and the chair confirming the motion carried.
A board member raised concerns about active legal proceedings challenging the four-day school week and asked how the district should proceed if a court blocks the measure. That member noted turnout trends, saying in non-presidential election years “less than 10% of people vote” and that the average age of voters is “over 65,” questioning whether the timing and fairness of a vote had been considered.
A staff member responded that if the district prevails in litigation it would coordinate with the Jackson County Election Board and the Kansas City Election Board to have the language removed; if notices have already gone to print the district would need to work with election officials to remove printed materials and could be responsible for printing costs. “If we do prevail, we will work with the Jackson County Election Board as well as the Kansas City Election Board to have that language removed,” the staff member said, adding that the district would consult legal counsel on next steps.
When asked about timing for withdrawal without incurring printing charges, staff said election officials did not provide an exact printing start date but would notify the district shortly before printing begins. On the timing of the court decision, staff said they had been told to expect a ruling from Judge Limba around the end of August.
The meeting record shows the group voted to approve the required ballot language, then moved to adjourn without further action on the proposal. There was no formal roll-call tally of individual members’ votes in the transcript; the approvals were recorded by voice vote.
