September 8, 2026 Regular Board of Education Meeting

The Independence School District Board of Education’s September 8, 2026 regular meeting approved the proposed 2026–27 tax rate levy and consent agenda. The financial report cited approximately $7.2 million in general operating bills, $1.5 million for self-insurance, $3 million in debt service, $4.6 million in bond funding, and just over $2 million in capital operating expenses. The board also approved resolutions authorizing $60 million in voter-approved school-building bonds and refunding certain 2016 and 2016B bonds; the refunding was estimated to save about $1.1 million. A separate resolution authorized refunding 2017B and 2018 bonds, with no savings estimate yet; administrators said the refunding would proceed only if it produced savings. Piper Sandler and Gilmore & Bell representatives were present to assist with the bond matters. The board also approved joining the MOAT cooperative investment program as an additional option for investing district funds and bond proceeds, and approved payment to Hollis & Miller, with no amount stated in the transcript.

Other approved items included updated extra-work and facilities salary guides, 2026–27 transportation routes (including one additional bus), and changes to the process for requesting to speak at board meetings. The discussion also noted $252,000 in E-rate funding received in the prior year for the district’s technology department, alongside internet-safety compliance measures. No specific technology purchase or contract award was identified.