Local school districts rely on voters on Tuesday

Voters on Tuesday are deciding on several school district related issues across the metro.

IT'S ELECTION DAYSOME CITIES ON THEMISSOURI SIDE OF THEMETRO.AND THOUGH TODAY'SRACES DON'T INCLUDE APRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN,STATE, OR FEDERALLAWMAKERS RUNNING FOROFFICE - THE ISSUES ONTODAY'S BALLOT COULDHAVE A SIGNIFICANTIMPACT ON YOU.41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSJOINS US LIVE ININDEPENDENCE TOEXPLAIN HOW BALLOTITEMS WILL IMPACT YOURMONEY AND LOCALSCHOOL DISTRICTS.THE POLLS CLOSE HEREAT SEVEN TONIGHT.WHILE THERE IS ONLY ONEISSUE ON THE BALLOTHERE IN INDEPENDENCE,THE SCHOOL DISTRICTSSAYS IT'S AN IMPORTANTONE.Dr. Dale Herl, IndependenceSchoolDistrict Superintenden"The education system is thebackbone of your community."THIS ELECTION DAYCOMES WITH BIG ASKSFROM LOCAL SCHOOLDISTRICTS.IN INDEPENDENCE,VOTERS WILL DECIDE ON A43 MILLION DOLLAR BONDISSUE THAT FOCUSES ONTHREE KEY THINGS.SAFETY AND SECURITYIMPROVEMENTS.Dr. Dale Herl, IndependenceSchoolDistrict Superintendent"What we are going to do isensure all of our buildings inthe ISD have a securevestibule as you enter into thebuilding.GIVING TRUMAN, VANHORN AND WILLIAMCHRISMAN HIGH SCHOOLSAUDITORIUMS AND FINEARTS FACILITIES AMAKEOVER.AND UPDGRADING THEELEMENTARY SCHOOL'SPLAYGROUNDS.Dr. Dale Herl, IndependenceSchoolDistrict Superintendent"What better way to spendbond issue money thanensuring a great playgroundfor all of our kids."THIS IS A NO TAX INCREASEBOND ISSUE, WHICHMEANS YOUR TAXESWON'T GO UP.Dr. Dale Herl, IndependenceSchoolDistrict Superintendent"Over the last 11 years, tISD has refinanced bonds andsaved tax payersapproximately 11.6 milliondollars.

Also, during this time,we have aggressively paiddown exisiting debt.

Sobecause of those two things,we are able to issue 48 milliodollars worth of bonds andhave it not be an increase toour tax payersLOCAL PARENT ALEXGILPIN wants PEOPLE TOVOTE YES -- saying TDISTRICT needsUPGRADES.Alex Gilpin, Independence Parent"For many of us, me includedI use the playground in theevening.

Our family goes upthere.

So these are realneighborhood parks is reallywhat they are."IN GRANDVIEW, VOTERSWILL DECIDE ON TWOISSUES.Dr. Kenny Rodrequez,Superintendent of the GrandviewC-4School DistrictWe have two things on theballot today.

We have a 60cent levy increase which willincrease taxes and then wehave a 45 million dollar no taxincrease bond."THE DISTRICTS SAYS ONEOF THE THINGS THE LEVYINCREASE INVOLVES --TEACHER SALARIES.Dr. Kenny Rodrequez,Superintendent of the GrandviewC-4School District"About 80 percent of ouropperating budget is goingtowards salaries is attract andretain the best and brightest.What I keep telling people iswe need to value our teachersand our support staff morethan ever.

So this is ouroppertunity to make sure wecan continue to do that in thefutureA LOT OF MONEY FOREACH DISTRICT...FALLININTO THE VOTERS' HANDS.THE SUPERINTENDENT OFTHE INDEPENDENCESCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS IFTHIS BOND ISSUE DOESN'TPASS, THEN THERE WILLBE NO IMPROVEMENTSAND NOTHING WILLHAPPEN WITH TAXESEITHER.IN INDEPENDENCEJORDAN BETTS 41 ACTI