In January 2025, the Joplin Schools Board of Education approved the Long Range Facility Planning Committee’s (LRFPC) Phase 1 recommendations to address the facility needs they considered to be of highest priority:

• Suitable educational spaces for all students
• Suitable Special Education spaces for intensive programs
• Early Childhood/PreK expansion

Those Phase 1 facility upgrades will soon be implemented using nearly $11M of the district’s financial reserves – our savings accounts – made possible by careful stewardship of taxpayer funds.

The LRFPC made further recommendations in October 2025 to address additional facility requirements in support of student success well into the future of our community. These Phase 2 recommendations (supported by a proposed bond election on April 7, 2026) would be paid for using $10M of the district’s financial reserves, plus an extension of the current tax rate while maintaining our district’s current tax levy.

What will be on the Ballot?

The Board of Eductation is currently considering a proposal to place a bond election on the ballot this spring. If approved, ballot langauge will be shared in this space.