By Katy Bergen
Executive Director of Public Relations

Strong community support allows LSR7 to invest in students and district’s future

Voters approved the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District no tax rate increase bond issue with 82.2% voting in favor of the $224 million proposal on the June 2 ballot.

Voter approval exceeded the 57.14% required as the bond issue received 10,697 votes in favor and 2,306 against. LSR7’s bond package was recommended through a collaborative process, and included an 18-month facility-needs study, community engagement events and surveys, as well as the participation of a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan Team and Citizens’ Advisory Committee. 

“We are so pleased and grateful to see the community rally together to ensure our students and staff will learn and work in safe, updated and modern environments that support both academic needs and student well-being,” Interim Superintendent Emily Miller said, “This is an exciting moment for LSR7.”

Voters also elected three members to the Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools Board of Education. Megan Marshall received 21.2% of the vote, Kimberley “Kim” Fritchie received 20.5% and Kathryn “Kathy” Campbell received 14.5%. For the other candidates, Christine T. Bushyhead received 9.6%, Mark A. Leetch received  8.9%, Matthew “Matt” A. Niewald received 8.2%, Lawrence “Larry” Todd Anderson received 6.5%, Brian T. Austerman received 6.3% and David E. Thompson received 3.6%.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome Megan Marshall and Kathy Campbell to the Board of Education and congratulate Board Member Kim Fritchie on her reelection,” Board President Julie Doane said. “I am eager to work with both our new and current board members to support and serve the Lee’s Summit R-7 Schools community.”

Through upgrading safety and security features, adding a fourth middle school and a second early education center, renovating schools and improving high school athletics and activity facilities, the bond issue’s seven projects will make a difference for LSR7 students and the community.

While the athletic/activity improvements and security upgrades are expected to be completed this summer, the majority are scheduled for completion by fall 2022 or fall 2023.

Thanks to voter support, projects include:

• Additional safety and security upgrades at all schools
  • Surveillance cameras to ensure comparable coverage between school sites
  • Upgraded access control system
  • New keying
  • Uniform playground fencing

• Fourth Middle School
  • Key component of LSR7’s board-approved sixth-grade-to-middle-school transition
  • 180,000 square-foot 6th-8th grade middle school to open before 2022-2023 school year
  • Incorporates future-ready design
    
• Renovations for Three Current Middle Schools
  • Pleasant Lea Middle School: new entry, classroom additions, music and art addition
  • Bernard Campbell Middle School: music addition and minor interior renovation
  • Summit Lakes Middle School: music addition and minor interior renovation
    
• Lee’s Summit High School Addition and Renovations
  • Demolish the 1952 classrooms located along the southern exterior of the building and create a new southern facade.
  • Renovate the western exterior of LSHS and provide a new western entrance near the current administrative offices.
  • Add 60,000 square feet of new construction, including a central connecting building with a new, centralized media center, as well as future-ready, collaboration and innovative learning environments
  • Provide light to heavy interior renovations for nearly all instructional and public spaces
  • New energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems for the entire building
  • Other proposed additions include a performing arts addition to make theater spaces more ADA accessible, industrial technology labs addition, a new science courtyard and staff collaboration space
    
• Mason Elementary
  • Renovations and an addition to improve capacity and safety and make Mason Elementary a four-section elementary school prototype
  • New entryway, media center, administrative offices and future-ready classrooms

• Early Education Center at Prairie View Elementary
  • Remodel north side of Prairie View Elementary to create a second early education center for the district’s youngest learners
    
• High School Athletic/Activity Improvements
  • Stadium improvements for all high schools to address access and crowd control
  • Turf replacement, track resurfacing at all high schools for maintenance and safety
  • A Lee’s Summit High School baseball/softball complex to ensure consistency with other high schools