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One Year Of Development Tax Breaks Cost Kansas City Public Schools $28 Million

By Steve Kraske,

Published August 24, 2020 at 12:18 PM CDT

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Students at Pitcher Elementary in the Kansas City Public Schools play a cup-stacking math game. Tax breaks for economic development cost KCPS $28 million in 2018. — Students at Pitcher Elementary in the Kansas City Public Schools play a cup-stacking math game. Tax breaks for economic development cost the district $28 million in 2018.

The Kansas City Council is now looking at possible changes to how tax incentives are decided, including allowing school districts a say in those decisions, but they face an uphill battle at City Hall.

Tax incentives cost Kansas City Public Schools roughly $1,200 per student. "Incentives are done to us, not with us," district representative Shannon Jaax said. "Projects come to us late, when we haven't had a seat at the table."

Brandon Ellington, councilman for Kansas City's 3rd District
Shannon Jaax, director of planning and real estate for Kansas City Public Schools
Terry Ward, member of the North Kansas City Schools Board of Education

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

Mackenzie Martin is a senior podcast producer at KCUR Studios and host of the podcast, A People's History of Kansas City. Contact her at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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