(File photo) Missourians cast their vote during the state's primary elections Aug. 4, 2020. An upcoming Missouri election April 5 will allow voters to select school board members for many districts. (Chase Castor/The Beacon)

For many Kansas City area school districts, the April 5 Missouri election will be a chance to weigh in on the leaders and resources that will shape public education for years to come. 

Education issues have been in the spotlight lately as school board meetings in some districts have featured long lines of public commenters arguing over COVID-19 precautions, books in school libraries and teaching about race and diversity. 

In response, Missouri legislators have filed more than 120 bills covering K-12 education in 2022.  

But local voters can also influence education policy through their votes for school board members and on education bonds. School board members for the districts below serve three-year terms, except in Independence, where members serve six-year terms. 

Here’s a basic guide to participating in several of the largest local districts that have school board elections this April.  (Click on a district below to jump to that section)

What education topics am I voting on?

You’ll vote on candidates and bond issues if you live within district boundaries. Click the county headings for sample ballots or issue and candidate lists to preview what you’ll see when you go to the polls, including for smaller districts not included on this list.

Clay County 

North Kansas City Schools

You can vote for two of the following candidates:

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

The district is also asking voters to approve a general obligation bond in the amount of $140 million. The funds would be used for building-related purposes such as buying land, constructing new buildings, and remodeling and equipping existing buildings. It can also be used for buying transportation equipment such as buses. 

The bond is not expected to increase the district’s current debt service tax levy. 

Separately, the district is asking voters to allow the board of education to raise the ceiling for the operating property tax levy. The change isn’t expected to increase the overall tax levy because the debt service tax levy would go down by the same amount the operating levy goes up. 

Liberty Public Schools

You can vote for two of the following candidates:

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

Jackson County

Lee’s Summit R-7 School District

You can vote for two of the following school board candidates:

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

Independence School District

You can vote for two of the following school board candidates: 

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

Blue Springs School District

You can vote for two of the following school board candidates: 

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

Raytown Quality Schools

You can vote for two of the following school board candidates:

See candidates’ questionnaire responses.

Platte County

Park Hill School District

You can vote for two of the following candidates: 

See candidates’ questionnaire responses. The school district’s website has information about all of the candidates. 

The district is also asking voters to approve a general obligation bond in the amount of $137 million. The funds would be used for building-related purposes including constructing an elementary school and acquiring land. 

The bond is not expected to increase the district’s current debt service tax levy. 

Separately, the district is asking voters to allow the board of education to raise the ceiling for the operating property tax levy. The change isn’t expected to increase the overall tax levy because the debt service tax levy would go down by the same amount the operating levy goes up. 

How do I vote?

First, make sure you’re registered. You can check on the Missouri secretary of state’s website if you aren’t sure. 

If you aren’t, act quickly. The deadline to register for the April 5 election is March 9. Your application must be postmarked by that date. There are several ways to register explained on the secretary of state’s website. 

Find your polling place here by putting in your address. Click “View Candidates and Issues” to see a sample ballot of what you’ll be voting on. 

Check with your local election authority for the most updated information about your polling place. 

Voting is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re in line at 7 p.m. you can vote. 

Bring an acceptable form of voter ID — such as one issued by the state, the federal government or a Missouri college or university. You can also use a current bank statement, utility bill, paycheck or government document with your name and address. 

If you don’t have an ID or forget to bring one, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot. It will be counted if you return with photo ID the same day or if your local election authority verifies that your signature matches the one on your voter registration. 

If you can’t vote on election day for one of several reasons Missouri accepts, you can vote absentee. To do so, the election authority has to receive your request for an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on March 23, or you can vote in-person at the election authority office until 5 p.m. the day before the election. 

If you’re not voting in person, most people need to have their absentee ballots notarized and you may need to attach a copy of your ID if you haven’t voted or registered in person before. 

Absentee voting is already open for the April 5 election. 

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Maria Benevento is the education reporter at The Kansas City Beacon. She is a Report for America corps member. Follow her on Twitter @MariaFBenevento.