Every day, educators, families, students and community members work together to create the best possible future for Shawnee Mission School District students.
“That is what this year’s theme, Building Tomorrow Together, is all about,” shared Superintendent Dr. Michael Schumacher. “We are focused on providing exceptional learning experiences that take place in state-of-the-art facilities, and we are always looking to improve because Tomorrow Starts Now. Everything we do in the Shawnee Mission School District needs to serve our students.”
On Nov. 9, Board of Education members voted unanimously to place a bond-related question on a ballot for SMSD residents in early 2027. Mail-in ballots will arrive in mailboxes in early February and will be due by noon on March 2. The question posed will allow community members to decide on a no-tax-increase, $370 million bond issue for facility enhancements.
Bond proposal basics
Following the work of two Strategic Plan Action Teams (6.1.1 and 6.1.2), the proposed bond includes:
- Rebuilding Belinder Elementary School
- Rebuilding Rosehill Elementary School
- Constructing a Career Technical Campus to serve students from across the district and expand career and technical education programming
- Additional improvements including secondary school renovations (all middle and high schools), HVAC upgrades, roof replacements, cycle turf replacement, building envelope repair, life safety and security enhancements, middle school tracks, practice facility lighting, performing arts upgrades, soccer complex renovations, and accessibility (ADA) improvements.
Find out more and attend community events
More information about the bond is available at bond.smsd.org.
Community members are also invited to attend open-house events to learn more, starting in January throughout the district. This will be a time to find out more about the proposal and ask questions.
Community meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. as follows:
Tuesday, January 12 – SM North High School
Tuesday, January 19 – Indian Hills Middle School
Wednesday, January 20 – SM Northwest High School
Tuesday, January 26 – Westridge Middle School
Monday, February 1 – SM West High School
Tuesday, February 2 – Indian Woods Middle School
Tuesday, February 9 – Hocker Grove Middle School
Wednesday, February 10 – SM East High School
Tuesday, February 16 – Trailridge Middle School
Wednesday, February 24 – SM South High School
In 2021, voters approved a bond that allowed for numerous improvements including the rebuilding of five elementary schools that took the educational experience for students to new heights. All projects outlined in the 2021 bond were completed, and through careful planning and use of funds, the district was also able to add a new early childhood center. This building will serve the district’s youngest learners and is expected to open in fall 2027. This final project will bridge the previous bond issue with the proposed plan for 2027.
“Our public schools support communities,” Schumacher expressed. “They drive property values and make sure our neighborhoods stay the vibrant, thriving places we all expect. We are ONE Shawnee Mission and not only are we Building Tomorrow Together, we are doing so knowing our students can’t wait. Tomorrow Starts Now.”
American Education Week
From Nov. 16-20, 2026, the Shawnee Mission School District will thank all who are Building Tomorrow Together during American Education Week. The SMSD community will celebrate in a variety of ways. All are invited to take a moment to thank people they know who make up the Shawnee Mission Team. Watch for some of the celebration next week on SMSD social media platforms and smsd.org.
Shawnee Mission School District is the third-largest school district in Kansas. The district serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and several educational centers. It has been consistently ranked among the finest school districts nationwide for its high student performance. The district’s objective is that each student will have a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success. The district serves a diverse student population from 14 cities within northeast Johnson County, Kansas, which is 10 miles from downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.smsd.org.
There are multiple ways you can stay up to date on all of the news highlighting students and staff members in the Shawnee Mission School District throughout this school year. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube, or watch for stories posted under “recent news” on www.smsd.org. Have you heard our podcast? Click here to listen or subscribe.
