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2025-26 Proposed Bond Issue Home

Building the Future of Joplin Schools

Learn More About the April 7 Bond Election

In January 2025, the Joplin Schools Board of Education approved the Long Range Facility Committee’s (LRFC) 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 are currently being implemented using nearly $11M of the district’s capital reserves, made possible by careful stewardship of taxpayer funds.

The LRFC 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 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.


 

A man in a blue suit and red tie smiles at the camera.

A Message from Joplin Schools Superintendent,
Dr. Kerry Sachetta

Dear Joplin Schools Community,

Over the past few years, we’ve seen steady and meaningful progress in Joplin Schools. Our students are growing academically, our staff continues to strengthen our instructional systems, and our community remains deeply committed to the success of every child. That momentum is something to celebrate, and it’s a strong foundation for the work ahead.

As we look to the future, one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring that every student learns in a safe, modern, and functional environment. Many of our schools, especially our oldest elementary campuses, need updates to support today’s teaching and learning. To address those needs, the Board of Education has placed a no-tax-rate-increase bond proposal on the April 7 ballot. This proposal would extend the district’s current tax rate and invest in facility improvements across the district, including safety upgrades, learning space modernization, and an indoor education and activity facility at Joplin High School.  

These proposed improvements are part of our long-range facility plan and reflect years of listening, planning, and careful financial stewardship. They build on the progress our students and staff are making and help ensure our facilities keep pace with the high expectations our community holds for its schools. Over the next few months, we’ll share clear and transparent information in this space and around the community so you can fully understand the work being proposed and how it supports students now and well into the future.

I’m grateful for a community that continues to show up for kids, whether that’s through volunteering, cheering from the stands, mentoring, or staying engaged in conversations about our schools. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we can make sure Joplin Schools remains a place where every student feels valued, prepared, and ready for the opportunities ahead. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Kerry Sachetta

Quote from Veronica Scheurich, Joplin Schools Board of Education President

A collage of elementary-age students smiling and posing in various school-based settings.
A collage of elementary-age students smiling and posing in various school-based settings.
A collage of elementary-age students smiling and posing in various school-based settings.
A collage of elementary-age students smiling and posing in various school-based settings.

Ballot Language

Shall Joplin Schools of Jasper & Newton County, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $40,000,000 for the purpose of constructing, improving, repairing, remodeling, furnishing and equipping new and existing school facilities, including but not limited to, improvements to Stapleton, Eastmorland, Cecil Floyd, Kelsey Norman, McKinley, Royal Heights, and Jefferson Elementaries, construction of an indoor education & activity facility at Joplin High School and improvements at Junge Campus?

The authorization of the Bonds is expected to result in no tax rate increase, and the District’s current debt service tax levy, which is $0.7616 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, is estimated to remain unchanged. 

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera.A Message from the Board of Education President,
Veronica Scheurich

Dear Eagle Nation,

I have been so humbled to watch the Long Range Facility Committee do their work over the past 2 years to research the needs of every building and program in the district. Their dedication and care has offered us a unique opportunity to address educational suitabilty and safety & security needs on a large scale for Joplin’s students and staff. I want to say Thank You to this team of community volunteers for spending such time and focus on this work.

I’m proud to speak on behalf of the Board of Education when I say that the LRFC’s plan represents a good-faith effort to ensure our students and staff have what they need to succeed now and into the future. Several of our older elementary buildings…..To be continued...

Targeted Improvements at Many Elementary Schools

These projects are included in the projected costs for each building’s overall additions, interior and classroom renovations listed above. We’re making special note of them in this pullout section to highlight this important work being prioritized across many buildings at once.

Comprehensive Window Replacement

Cecil Floyd Elementary
Eastmorland Elementary
Kelsey Norman Elementary
Stapleton Elementary

Site Access, Safety and Parking Improvements

Cecil Floyd Elementary
Eastmorland Elementary
Jefferson Elementary
McKinley Elementary
Royal Heights Elementary
Stapleton Elementary