Bond Overview
A Message from Superintendent Dr. Anna Stubblefield and Board President Randy Lopez
On August 13, 2024, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved a $180 million bond issue to go to voters for approval on the November ballot. The bond passed with over 65% of the popular vote.
This bond includes the construction of three new schools and a new addition to the existing Sumner Academy school campus.
The recommended facility upgrades and improvements are based on input gathered from students, parents, staff, and community members through a facilities assessment survey.
The proposal reflects a commitment to fostering an environment that enhances safety and learning for all students, aligning with the district's long-term plan spanning over a decade.
Latest Bond News
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At the late February 27th Board of Education meeting, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved the recommendation of the RFP Evaluation Committee that Hollis+Miller Architects and Multistudio be approved as architects for capital improvement bond projects. Hollis + Miller ranked as the top firm in the RFP evaluation, demonstrating extensive experience in K-12 school design and project execution. The firm previously partnered with the district on 2016 bond projects, successfully delivering school designs that met budget, schedule, and functional requirements.
At the same February 27th meeting, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education also approved the recommendation of the RFP Evaluation Committee of Newkirk Novak Construction and McCown Gordon Construction be approved as Construction Managers At-Risk for capital improvement bond projects.
Based on the evaluation process and final scoring, the committee recommends awarding the bond projects to both Newkirk Novak Construction and McCown Gordon Construction, ensuring efficient execution and optimized project management. Projects Awarded will be distributed as follows:
Firm Projects (Estimated Project Cost) Estimated Combined Cost Newkirk Novak New Argentine Middle School ($57.375 M)
New Elementary School ($32.300 M)$89.675 M McCown Gordon New Central Middle School ($57.375 M)
New Sumner Addition ($5.950 M)$63.375 M Contracts for each firm, including the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), are currently under review and will be brought to the Board for consideration and approval at a future date.
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On January 28, 2025, this resolution is being presented to the Board to ratify and approve the final sale results as presented at the Board meeting on January 17th.
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At the December Board of Education Meeting, the board passed a resolution authorizing proceedings with the sale of bonds and securing final interest rates and terms that would allow the District to meet the mill levy commitment communicated to voters as part of the election.
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Construction Manager At-Risk
The evaluation committee will interview five candidate firms for Construction Manager At-Risk on Friday, January 24, as part of Phase III of the statutorily mandated process. The committee will score the proposals, select finalist(s), and decide which firm(s) to recommend for board approval. The recommendation will be presented to the Board of Education on February 11, 2025.Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architectural Services Firm
Five firms submitted proposals in response to the RFP on Friday, January 17, 2025. The proposals have been distributed to the evaluation committee for review, with candidate interviews tentatively scheduled for July 28 and 29, 2025.
Previous Bond News
General Obligation Bond Sale Resolution
On December 10, 2024, the Board approved the General Obligation Bond Sale Resolution. This resolution authorizes proceeding with both the sale of bonds and securing final interest rates and terms that allow the District to meet the mill levy commitment communicated to voters as part of the election. After a successful bond sale, an additional resolution will be presented to the Board to ratify and approve the final sale results. You can read the actual Resolution here on BoardDocs.
Bond Construction Process
Alternative Delivery Method for Construction Manager At-Risk to Manage Bond Projects
The first step in the Phase 1 process is to secure a construction manager at-risk (or CMAR) that will oversee planning, budgeting, and execution of projects funded by the capital improvement bond. Acting as a project manager and advisor, the CMAR collaborates with architects and district stakeholders to ensure projects stay within budget, meet timelines, and fulfill educational and safety standards, while assuming responsibility for any cost overruns. Candidates for the CMAR can submit a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) through the Purchasing Department, and the most qualified candidate(s) will be recommended to the KCKPS Board of Education at a future public meeting. The CMAR will be selected by the votes of the Board of Education.
However, residents of Kansas City, Kansas also have the ability to speak on the matter as well. As required by KSA 72-1154(d), "... the board shall allow public comment on this intention at a school board meeting," which will take place before any votes or final board discussions are made on the potential CMAR.
Why This is Important:
This process is essential because it ensures that the district selects a construction manager who is highly qualified and best suited for the project's specific needs. By first evaluating qualifications through the RFQ, the district narrows down candidates based on relevant experience and capabilities, which reduces risk in project execution. The next step, the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase, allows shortlisted firms to present comprehensive project strategies, enabling the district to assess each firm's approach to budget, timeline, and project-specific challenges. The final interview phase provides insights into team compatibility and communication styles, which are critical for a successful working relationship. This structured, multi-phase approach promotes transparency, promotes competitive bidding, and helps secure the best value for taxpayer funds invested in our capital improvement projects.
Bond Timeline
Phase 1
Phase 1 begins with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), where the district invites firms to submit their qualifications, such as experience, expertise, and past performance, to determine their capacity to handle the project. The district reviews these submissions to shortlist firms that best meet the necessary qualifications.
Phase 2
Phase 2 involves a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued to the shortlisted firms, asking for detailed project proposals. These proposals typically include project approach, preliminary cost estimates, scheduling, and methods to address unique project challenges.
Phase 3
Finally, in Phase 3, the district conducts interviews with selected firms to gain deeper insights into each candidate's approach and team dynamics. Based on these interviews and the overall proposal evaluation, the district selects the CMAR firm that demonstrates the best combination of qualifications, proposal strength, and alignment with district needs.
