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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Wichita voters approve the $615 million school bond

Plus, Valley Center says no to a fire department sales tax and the city's parking fund slips into the red.

The Daily Wichita team2 stories15 sources4 min read

SchoolsTop story

Wichita voters approve the $615 million school bond, the district's first since 2008

The bond passed after a 2025 loss by about 300 votes

$615 million
bond issue Wichita voters approved Tuesday
about 60%
voted yes on both questions
18 years
since Wichita last passed a bond issue
about 300
votes that sank a $450 million bond in February 2025

Source: KMUW

Wichita said "yes, yes." Voters in the district chose yes on both questions by about 60%, and KWCH says the $615 million measure will pay for building improvements across USD 259 campuses.

In February 2025, voters rejected a $450 million proposal. This time the district held community feedback sessions in April and split the ask into two questions. Question 2 could pass only if Question 1 did. Together they pay to rebuild and renovate more than 15 district facilities.

Question 1 makes up about two-thirds of the bond

Sources: KMUW, Wichita Eagle

View as table
AmountShare
Question 1$407.1 million66.2%
Question 2$207.9 million33.8%
  • Last bond before this one: 2008
  • Yes campaign: "Vote Yes-Yes 4 Wichita Kids," launched in August
  • No campaign: "," launched in October

"We learned that we needed a more specific plan," Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld said of the 2025 loss. Opponents argued the district should raise test scores before building.

Schools

Here's what the Wichita school bond means for your property tax bill and four closing schools

If you own property in the Wichita school district, the two questions hit your bill differently. KSN says Question 1 extends the 2008 mill levy rate past its 2029 date without an increase. Question 2 would add 2.18 mills, the Eagle reported.

About $50more a year in property taxes on a $200,000 home

That's what KSN reported Question 2 would add. It could pass only if Question 1 did.

Source: KSN.com

The bond doesn't settle the school closures. The board voted earlier this year to close four elementary schools, and KMUW talked with neighbors who planned to vote no over them. "We're in a different era in our community where there's not a need for that many schools," Bielefeld said.

  • Closing: L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementaries
  • OK Elementary: would become an early childhood center
  • Question 1 HVAC work: five high schools, eleven middle schools

Question 2 is the one that adds to the tax rate

QuestionAmountTax rate
Question 1Up to $407.1 millionStays flat
Question 2Up to $207.9 millionAdds 2.18 mills

Source: Wichita Eagle

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Wichita answered.

Asked

Which part of the school bond matters most to you?

Be the first to answer.

News Notes

Valley Center

Valley Center voters rejected a 1% sales tax that would have given the city a full-time fire department. The first unofficial results showed 1,091 early "no" votes to 624 "yes." The city will now join . The tax would have pushed Valley Center's sales tax rate to 9.5 percent. KWCHWichita Eagle

Early voters in Valley Center said no by 1,091 to 624

Source: Wichita Eagle

View as table
Value
No1,091
Yes624

Parking

Wichita's parking fund is in the red by just over $309 thousand for the third quarter of 2026, the City Council heard Tuesday. Revenue is up $700 thousand from 2025, but expenditures are up $900 thousand. KNSS

Shockers

Wichita State announced Tuesday that sophomore center Noah Hill will miss the season with a foot injury. The Eagle reports the Shockers are working to bring back 6-foot-10 center Emmanuel Okorafor, though nothing is finalized. Wichita EagleWichita Eagle

Cross country

Kapaun Mt. Carmel junior Ava Claassen won her first state cross country title Saturday in 16 minutes, 59 seconds, a course record. Nobody among the 292 girls across three classifications finished within 56 seconds. Wichita Eagle

New spot

Argentina's Empanadas owners Chad Freeman and Carolina Brandan are adding a restaurant at 11414 E Central, in the space Joy Tea left earlier this year. They hope to open around Thanksgiving. Wichita Eagle

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

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More worth The Buy

Asked

Tap an answer to see how Wichita answered.

Asked

What's on your calendar this weekend?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Wichita, KS

Wednesday, Nov. 4

See every Wichita eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the position for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Neighbors

I don’t know about you guys but I can’t wait until Wednesday.

“I can watch TV , YouTube, listen to the radio, and go to the mailbox and not have to see or listen to these disgusting political ads. Not one of these ads has affected the way I chose to vote, and probably you either. Imagine if all that that money been spent in some positive way.”

— A neighbor, Benjamin Hills

262 likes · 54 comments

View post

The Wrap

Beer, meet bonsai. Wichita Brewing Company hosts a "Bonsai & Cheers" workshop on Friday, Nov. 14, where you learn wiring, potting and care, then take home your own Hawaiian Umbrella bonsai. The Nov. 7 session already sold out, so spots for this one may go fast. Tiny trees and a pint sounds like a good pairing.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Windy, cooler Election Day, and Sedgwick County polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Read yesterday’s edition

The Daily Wichita teamWichita’s daily newsletter

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Every source in this edition15 links · 7 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. KMUWkmuw.org
  3. KWCHkwch.com
  4. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  5. KSN.comksn.com
  6. KMUWkmuw.org
  7. KWCHkwch.com
  8. KWCHkwch.com
  9. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  10. KNSSaudacy.com
  11. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  12. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  13. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  14. Wichita Eaglekansas.com
  15. Wichita events calendardailywichitanews.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3Windy, cooler Election Day, and Sedgwick County polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  2. Mon., Nov. 2Severe storms, tornado risk in Wichita this afternoon and evening
  3. Sun., Nov. 1Storms and Election Day wind headed for Wichita Monday
  4. Sat., Oct. 31The Oct. 31 edition
  5. Fri., Oct. 30Voter-eligibility amendment explained; state soccer finals move to Topeka
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Daily Wichitato me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Wichita voters approve the $615 million school bond

Plus, Valley Center says no to a fire department sales tax and the city's parking fund slips into the red.

The TLDR

  1. Wichita voters approve the $615 million school bond
  2. What the bond means for your tax bill and OK Elementary
  3. Valley Center voters reject the public safety sales tax
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Wichita’s other editions

All the news
WeatherElection Day in Wichita will be windy and cooler, with a high near 59If you're heading to the polls today, bundle up. After Monday night's storms, KWCH forecasts a few early showers, then cloudy and breezy skies in Wichita, with a high of 59. KSN puts the high at 61 with a 30% chance of rain.Tuesday’s editionRead WeatherSevere storms could hit Wichita Monday afternoon and evening, with tornadoes possibleIf you're heading out today, check the sky first. The National Weather Service says Wichita has a good chance of severe weather Monday as two rounds of storms come through, with tornadoes, gusts over 70 mph and half-dollar-size hail possible.Monday’s editionRead SportsWashburn and Emporia State will meet in Wichita for the MIAA soccer semifinals FridayIf you like college soccer, mark Fri., Nov. 6. No. 1 seed Washburn faces No. 5 seed Emporia State in the MIAA semifinals at the Scheels Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, and kickoff is set for 3 p.m.Monday’s editionRead

Around Wichita

From KWCH, Wichita Eagle and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. KWCH59 minutes ago

    Much colder morning across Kansas

    KWCH Forecast

  2. Wichita Eagle1 hour ago

    The 2026 midterm election in Wichita and Kansas is over. Here’s what you should know.

    Adam Hamilton flipped a Kansas U.S. Senate seat, Wichita voters passed a $615M school bond and the governor race remained too close to call Wednesday.

  3. KWCH4 hours ago

    Holscher holds narrow lead over Masterson in uncalled Kansas governor’s race

    The margin sits at 5,557 votes with mail ballots outstanding

  4. The Topeka Capital-Journal5 hours ago

    Roger Marshall and Ty Masterson host election watch party in Wichita

    Roger Marshall and Ty Masterson look for wins in respected races at their Wichita watch party.

  5. KSN.com5 hours ago

    How Kansas voters decided on school bond measures

    Kansas voters weighed in on several school bond measures Tuesday that would fund millions of dollars in facility upgrades and new construction projects.

  6. Wichita Eagle5 hours ago

    Kansas governor race still too close to call. Masterson and Holscher wait for a victor

    The Kansas governor race between Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher remained razor thin with 93% counted, no winner yet and results expected overnight.