KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Students will notice a few differences in Kansas City, Kansas, when they begin the new school year Wednesday.
The district is opening two new school buildings, celebrating the completion of renovations at several schools and paying teachers more money this year.
Construction crews spent the past 18 months rebuilding Welborn Elementary school on Leavenworth Road and building Gloria Willis Middle School at the site of the old Coronado Middle School. Students who previously attended either Coronado or West middle schools will now attend Gloria Willis M.S.
The district said both new schools will be state of the art facilities creating an environment which allows teachers to be more flexible and benefits student education.
Voters approved a bond initiative in 2016 to pay for the upgrades without raising taxes.
Schools such as Claude Huyck and Stony Point North added new classrooms to the buildings. Several others received security upgrades, new cafeterias and science labs.
This summer, the district and teachers union reached a new deal increasing the base pay for teachers by one percent. Special Education teachers will receive a two percent boost in pay under the deal. And the district adjusted the schedule it followed to determine when teachers received a raise. The changes are aimed at recruiting teachers to the district and retaining them once they work there.
School begins Wednesday for students in kindergarten through 6th grade and 9th grades. All other students begin school tomorrow. Pre-K students will be back in class Monday.
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