WPS Progress Report

Wichita Public Schools has heard that some community members, especially those without students currently in our schools, do not feel as connected to WPS as they once did. That is one of the reasons we started this community newsletter earlier this year. We have work to do to strengthen those relationships, and we will continue doing it.

At the same time, we must continue improving the education we provide our students. We can – and must – do more than one thing at a time. That is also true of our efforts to improve facilities.

With the Nov. 3 election approaching, this edition of Progress Report is dedicated to the WPS bond proposal. Our goal is to ensure every voter has the information needed to understand what is being proposed and why it matters. If you know someone who would benefit from more information about the bond proposal, please consider sharing this issue with them.

To learn more about the progress we are making in academics, watch our October news conference.

— Kelly

The bond issue will rebuild schools, renovate spaces, support career and technical education opportunities, improve traffic flow around some neighborhoods and preserve our oldest high schools.

Watch to learn more about the bond issue.

The WPS proposed bond issue that is on the November 3 ballot is divided into two questions. Voters can vote on Question 1 or vote on Question 1 and 2. Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to pass. Read the detail on the ballot questions. The two bond issue questions are located at the bottom of the ballot.

• Question 1 asks voters to approve $407.1 million in bonds. If this passes, the tax rate stays exactly where it is today. Homeowners would not see any increase in what they currently pay, unless their property valuation increases.
  
  
• Question 2 asks voters to approve $207.9 million in bonds. If this passes, the property tax rate would increase, adding about $50 a year — just $4.16 a month — for the owner of a $200,000 home compared to what they're paying now.

Community and staff feedback guided the decision for a two-question proposal. Our survey data shows 77% of respondents support a bond if it means no change from what they're currently paying in property tax, and 59% of respondents support a bond if it means an annual investment of $50 or less.

The proposed bond projects are located at schools across the city. The two-question bond issue focuses on long-term investments and improvements including rebuilding, renovating and preserving facilities, as well as modernizing spaces to provide future-ready opportunities for students and staff across WPS. Click here to see details on how the bond issue will impact our schools.

Bond issues are how school districts pay for new facilities and major building improvements.

Capital funds are limited and are meant for minor repairs or smaller building improvements. There is not enough money in the district's capital fund to pay for new facilities.

Bond funding would free up existing capital funds that are currently being used on major repairs, allowing WPS to address facility needs across all buildings. This means bond funds indirectly help all of our buildings.

Wichita Public Schools bond issue has received endorsements from:

• Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Wichita Partnership
• Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Wichita Branch NAACP
• REALTORS of South Central Kansas
• United Way of the Plains
• Greater Wichita Ministerial League
• Associated General Contractors of Kansas
• United Teachers of Wichita
• Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - Wichita
• American Federation of Teachers - Kansas
• Heartland Retired Teachers
• Sheet Metals Union Local 29
• Park City City Council (Q1)
• League of Women Voters
• South Central and Western Kansas Building Trades Council
• Iron Workers Local 24

Remember to vote on or before November 3! Visit the Sedgwick County Election Office site for details.

Be sure to go to the end of the ballot where you will find the WPS bond election questions.

Question 1 is listed as USD 259 Proposition No. 1, and question 2 is listed as USD 259 Proposition No. 2. Question 2 can't pass unless Question 1 passes.

There are a lot of details in the Wichita Public Schools bond issue proposal. We’ve created an FAQ where you can find answers quickly.

• November 3, 2026 - District Inservice Day (No school)
• November 3, 2026 - Election Day
• November 9, 2026 - BOE Meeting

• November 23, 2026 - Conference Release Day (No School)
• November 24 - 27, 2026 - Fall Break (Schools and Administrative Offices Closed)