Byanca Toribio cast her vote at the Argentine Community Center in Kansas City, Kansas, thinking of her son. Her 7-year-old has autism and a developmental delay. Grant Elementary offers special education services unavailable in the Catholic school where her other three children attend.
She says public school teachers are overwhelmed by growing class sizes and feels her son and other students like him are at risk of falling “through the cracks.” “I’m planning on voting yes, especially because of him,” said Toribio, 32. Her sister, Natalie Hernandez, 25, feels the same and wants a better experience for kids throughout the school district she graduated from.
“I want to help in any way that I can. If that’s my vote, then definitely.” The sisters were among those casting early votes over the weekend on a $180 million bond initiative that would finance new school buildings in a district where officials say the needs are great and long overdue.
On the Nov. 5 ballot for residents living within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district is a capital plan that would rebuild two middle schools, consolidate two elementary schools as one and put an addition on the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. It is a step district leaders say will enhance student opportunity in the district, one of the largest in the state, where some students learn in new buildings while others get by in crumbling facilities.
The ask comes six months after voters widely rejec.