Research and History

The Shawnee Mission School District is located in northeast Johnson County, spanning 72 square miles and 14 cities. A community-wide study and planning process took place over the course of multiple years in order to put forward a robust bond proposal. A bond proposal that provides necessary budget recommendations to reduce teacher workloads and facility renovations for today, as well as being future focused for our students and learning in 10 to 15 years. 

Community members from across the district provided expertise and input throughout the process. Here is a timeline of the planning process: 

School Building Assessment and Evaluation
2016-2019

The Shawnee Mission School District conducted a facilities evaluation on the 10 oldest elementary schools, all middle schools, and high schools as part of the Strategic Plan. The information was compiled by architects, engineers, and building administration to collectively define ongoing facility needs/issues for each school. The evaluations were completed to provide information to the District Facilities Task Force to assist with their work on the Strategic Plan and bond proposal. Click here to see the individual school assessments. 

Strategic Plan Action Team
Spring 2019

As part of the strategic planning process, the Shawnee Mission School District developed five action teams, one of which was focused on facilities planning.

The Facilities Action Team met in spring of 2019 and developed specific action steps related to the long-term facilities needs of the district. This work included the creation of a preliminary list of potential projects to be funded by the next capital outlay bond.

Strategic Plan Approval
June 2019

The Board of Education approves the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan

Facilities Forums
October 2019

The forums were an opportunity for the public to learn more about the planning process, the big picture of school facility needs and the preliminary list of priorities, including specific information related to each high school’s attendance area.

Individual feedback was gathered from the public at these forums and was brought back to the District Facilities Task Force for review. Information from that process was provided to the Superintendent for consideration in recommending a Bond issue proposal to the Board of Education.

View a video of the Facilities Forums here. 

Finance and Facilities Committee
Spring 2020 through October 2020

The primary purpose of the Finance and Facilities Committee is to review and advise the district and the Board of Education on these two functions, in alignment with the implementation of the SMSD Strategic Plan. Committee members are to review the operating, designated revenue, and capital budgets of the district, including the finances of the bond projects. The Committee is to also review design concepts, key assumptions and budgets for new buildings and major renovations, and to identify strengths and weaknesses to the Board of Education on construction and facility related issues.

The superintendent and/or designee will set the committee agenda in consultation with the board members on the committee. Acknowledgment of potential impact on district finances and resources, statutory or regulatory requirements should be included with any recommendations, if put forward by the committee.  Any recommendations of the committee will be presented to the superintendent for consideration, with potential for review by relevant district working groups, in preparation for consideration by the Board of Education. Click here to view the work of this committee. 

Community Telephone Survey
Summer 2020

Patron Insight, Inc. conducted a telephone survey with 500 community members equally representing each of the five feeder areas. View a presentation of the process and results here. 

Bond Proposal and Board of Education Vote
October 26, 2020

At the October 26 Board of Education meeting members viewed a bond proposal presentation and voted unanimously to support Option C, now the 2021 SMSD Bond Proposal.