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Board approves multiple contracts and signals intent to exceed revenue‑neutral rate
Summary
The Shawnee Mission board approved a series of contracts — athletic uniforms, ASL interpreters, supplemental special‑education staffing, LED lighting upgrades, insurance and SRO renewals — and authorized intent to exceed the state's revenue neutral rate for 2026 to fund district priorities.
At its June 22 meeting the Shawnee Mission USD 512 Board of Education approved multiple action items spanning operations and capital plans and authorized intent to exceed the state’s revenue neutral rate for the 2026 tax year.
Key approvals included: an estimated $318,774.75 purchase of high school and middle school athletic uniforms from BSN Sports/Varsity Brands (uniforms for participating students; varsity jerseys are cycled down), an ASL interpreting services contract with Interpreting Solutions estimated not to exceed $280,000 for 2026–27 paid from special education operating funds, and supplemental special‑education staffing contracts (Sunburst Workforce Advisors estimated not to exceed $1.3 million; the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired up to $145,000) to cover anticipated staffing needs and extended‑school‑year services.
On capital and facilities, the board approved Phase 3 of the district’s LED lighting upgrades with ROI Energy at a net estimated cost of $3,564,220 after Evergy incentives, with a 5% contingency. The board also approved renewal of general property and liability insurance for $1,807,577 and reported an estimated savings of about $432,000 compared with prior procurement. School resource officer contracts with Lenexa, Overland Park, Prairie Village and Shawnee were renewed at an estimated combined annual cost of $438,000 (Prairie Village contract through 2028 but subject to review in April 2027).
Finance staff briefed the board on the revenue neutral rate (RNR) process: Johnson County calculates RNR (USD 512’s RNR for 2026 is 48.680 mills). The board authorized intent to exceed that RNR, noting the statutory timetable; administration said a public hearing to exceed the RNR will be held between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20, followed by a roll‑call vote and certification to the county by Oct. 1.
All motions reported at the meeting carried unanimously. Administration emphasized that many of the contracts are recurring or on an as‑needed basis and that final expenditures would be contingent on participation levels and operational needs.
Why it matters: These approvals commit operating and capital dollars that fund day‑to‑day services (ASL, staffing, athletics) and facility investments (LED upgrades). The board’s intent to exceed the RNR signals a forthcoming decision that could raise local property taxes to fund the district’s priorities.
What’s next: Administration will finalize rates after the state budget documents are released, publish a statutorily required public hearing, and return to the board for final certification of the tax levy by Oct. 1.
