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Bob Headley, former Grain Valley alderman, is planning a run for mayor in 2026. Headley served eight terms as alderman, with his last term ending in 2022. Headley currently serves as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. During his service as alderman, he also served as liaison to the Park Board. In 2022, he was honored as the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Citizen of the Year for Grain Valley (prior reporting: Quick News - Grain Valley News). Headley, a Navy veteran and long-time resident of Grain Valley, has two grown sons who both graduated from Grain Valley Schools. In an interview with Grain Valley News, Headley said that continuing his service to the community as mayor was something that he has wanted to do for a number of years. Talking about his decision not to run for another term as alderman in 2022, Headley said he was changing jobs at the time and decided it was time for a break. “It was good to step away and know that there were other people that came in and have done a good job since. I liked the direction we were taking as a city, and many of the things you see now, such as the new police station and continued expansion of our parks and trail system, can be attributed to a lot of hard work and decisions to the past boards I was privileged to serve on.” “I am at a point in my life where I have a little more free time. I’ve always wanted to give back to my community, and I believe I am ready to get back into it and think I can do a good job in taking the city to the next level.” Asked about his priorities if elected mayor, Headley pointed to two key areas of focus. “In light of the political environment in general, all of us in Jackson County have felt the impact of the property tax issue. A key priority at the city level is to continue to maintain fiscal responsibility with the funds that come into the city. It is amazing what they (the Board of Aldermen and City staff) have done over the past 3-5 years. The levy has gone down significantly while services to residents improve and increase. There are a lot of people at City Hall doing a good job of stewardship of tax dollars. There can be debate ten ways from Sunday, but Grain Valley is in far better position financially than other communities around us,” Headley said. Headley points to infrastructure and working with MODOT on roadway issues as a second area of focus over the next few years. “There are also a number of projects partially in flight with our parks and trails system that we can support to keep progressing. These are great opportunities to create spaces for our residents and others in surrounding communities to come and have a place to enjoy,” Headley said. Filing for the position of mayor begins in December; the election will be held in April 2026.  Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd announced Wednesday evening that he intends to run for the Missouri House District 32 seat in 2026. Current District 32 Representative Jeff Coleman is completing his final term due to term limits.
Todd served as mayor of Grain Valley from 2010 - 2020, and returned for a 7th term as mayor in 2024. Todd is a retired teacher and life long resident of Grain Valley. "I feel that there is more the state can be doing to help local cities and if i have the opportunity to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives I look forward to being a voice for Eastern Jackson County. All of our communities are impacted by MODOT controlled roadways and the state and local governments need to be working better together to make them safer and easier to travel. There are many other issues such as crime that I want to tackle as well such as improving our foster care system in the state and making it more affordable for families seeking to adopt to be able to do so," Todd said in an interview with Grain Valley News. With 15.4% turnout county wide, Jackson County voters approved Question 1 on the November 4th ballot to make the Jackson County Assessor an elected position. The question passed with just over 90% of voters supporting the measure.
“Tonight, Jackson County made history. Voters put the power where it belongs, in the hands of the people. By electing our assessor, residents will finally have a direct say in how property is assessed and how their tax dollars are managed. This is a victory for homeowners, renters, small businesses, and for rebuilding trust in local government," Jackson County Legislature Chairman, DaRon McGee said in a statement released Tuesday evening. Voters in Jackson County will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4th, to decide whether the county assessor should remain an appointed position or become an elected one. The ballot measure, Question #1, proposes amending the Jackson County Charter to make the assessor an elected official. Currently, the county executive appoints the assessor, subject to legislative approval. Supporters of the amendment argue that electing the assessor will increase transparency and ensure that property assessments are handled more fairly and with greater accountability. Opponents counter that keeping the position appointed helps maintain professional standards and reduces the influence of politics in property valuation. The Jackson County Assessor’s Office oversees the valuation of residential, commercial, and agricultural property for tax purposes. The issue has drawn attention following the recall effort of former Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., and the public debate over recent property assessment increases and how those values were determined. Polls will be open Tuesday from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Sample ballots and polling locations can be found at www.jcebmo.org.  
Jackson County voters on Tuesday approved a historic recall of County Executive Frank White Jr., removing the former Kansas City Royals star from office after nine years in the county’s top administrative post. Approximately 85% of voters supported the recall.
In a statement Tuesday evening, White acknowledged the results and thanked supporters, staff, and family. “Tonight, I acknowledge the results of the recall election and respect the decision of the voters of Jackson County. I want to thank the people who showed up to vote, and I want to thank my staff, my family, my friends, and especially my wonderful wife Teresa. I would not have made it this far without her support, patience, and motivation. Serving as County Executive has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together to strengthen our community. While questions remain about the process that led to this election, I will move forward guided by gratitude for all this community has given me and by the drive to do what is right." DaRon McGee, chair of the Jackson County Legislature, is charged with appointing a temporary county executive to serve for the next 30 days. The Legislature will then vote to appoint an executive to serve until White's term is up next November. For additional reporting on the legal challenges that loom surrounding the September 30th vote, please see the article reprinted with permission from Beacon: Kansas City below. Voters have recalled Frank White. Will that hold up in court?A large majority of Jackson County voters have cast ballots to recall County Executive Frank White Jr. Preliminary results from Sept. 30 reveal 85% of voters supported the recall. The open question is whether those results will stand up against ongoing legal challenges. As soon as the vote is certified, White’s position will be considered immediately vacant and the campaign for the next county executive — which has been quietly happening behind the scenes for weeks — will kick into high gear. But it’s possible that the election result may not be certified soon. You may have noticed that this year’s recall election was scheduled for an unusual September election date — instead of the normal schedule in early April, June, August or November. (Special bond elections sometimes happen in February, as well.) Elections are almost always on those regularly scheduled election days. That could explain why voter turnout was relatively low. White was voted out of office yesterday by just 16% of Jackson County voters — compared to the 48% that turned out in the 2022 general election where White won reelection. In Kansas City specifically, turnout for the Frank White recall was even lower at 11%. White and the Kansas City and Jackson County election boards argue that a Sept. 30 election is not just unusual, but illegal. And that could spell doom for the recall vote if a judge agrees with them. A judge initially set the Sept. 30 date as a compromise with the recall campaign, which initially wanted to set the date for Aug. 26. The election boards argued in court that scheduling an August election on such short notice would disenfranchise military and overseas voters, who would not have received their ballots in time. Now, White’s lawyer is asking the Missouri Supreme Court directly to stop the election boards from certifying the vote until they hear the case. Here’s how that could affect Tuesday’s vote. Why did the election boards sue to reschedule the election?The Jackson County Legislature initially ordered the election to be held on Aug. 26 after approving the ballot language in early July. That’s based on a requirement set by an ordinance in 2023 that a special recall election be held within 60 days after signatures are filed. But both the Kansas City Election Board and the Jackson County Election Board objected. Those offices, which operate independently from White and the rest of county government, said that wasn’t enough time to prepare an election. Military ballots would have needed to be mailed out just days later, and the boards would have had only about a week to prepare for absentee voting to begin. DaRon McGee, chair of the county Legislature, was not sympathetic. McGee is one of the candidates vying to replace White now that he has been recalled. “I am deeply concerned by reports that this election may not move forward on the timeline the law requires,” he told KCUR in a statement at the time. “The Legislature has done its part. We now look to the executive branch and the election board(s) to fulfill their roles.” So the election boards sued. They argued that Missouri law only allows counties to schedule elections on regular election days — in February, April, August or November, unless otherwise specified in a city or county charter. The Aug. 5 election was already underway, so they asked a judge to reschedule the election for Nov. 4. Notably, every countywide Jackson County election for the past 27 years has occurred the Tuesday after the first Monday of February, April, August or November. The same generally goes for elections in Kansas City, which also schedules City Council elections in April and June under the city’s charter. The only recent exceptions were elections related to the streetcar in October 2017, December 2012 and on a Friday in August 2008. The Jackson County circuit judge, Marty W. Seaton, ultimately disagreed with the election boards. He said that Missouri statute carves out an exception for elections that are authorized by a county’s charter. He argued that meant the 2023 Jackson County ordinance allowed a recall to happen outside of those dates in order to meet the 60-day requirement. But he said an Aug. 26 election would still be too soon because military and overseas voters wouldn’t get their ballots in time, which would be unconstitutional. So he set a compromise date of Sept. 30. The legal battle continuesThe election boards wanted to appeal, but a procedural move made that impossible. Weeks earlier, while the case was playing out, White joined the lawsuit, arguing that the recall petition signatures themselves were illegal because some of the signature gatherers were not Missouri residents. The judge heard arguments on the election date, but he set aside the issue of the out-of-state signature gatherers. And because that issue remains unresolved, Seaton has not certified his ruling yet. That locked the election boards out of immediately appealing to a higher court. So on Sept. 26, White’s lawyers tried a different maneuver. They filed a lawsuit directly with the Western District Court of Appeals asking it to postpone the election until November because the election boards have not been able to appeal the circuit judge’s interpretation of the law. “The election is imminent, and the trial court refused to certify its ruling for appeal,” White’s lawyers wrote. “Unless this Court intervenes, an unlawful election will proceed, wasting taxpayer resources, confusing voters, and undermining public confidence in Missouri elections.” If this legal precedent stands, they argued, it would waste taxpayer dollars and confuse voters. If Jackson County can set an election for any day of the year, voters who are less tuned in to county politics may not even know that they’re missing an election. The judge at the Western District Court of Appeals declined to take up the case. So now they’re taking it to the Missouri Supreme Court. White’s lawyers filed a lawsuit against Seaton, the Jackson County circuit judge, just hours before the polls closed on Sept. 30, arguing that the election was illegally scheduled. They argued that proceeding with the election before the legal challenges are resolved would create chaos and distrust. “Once results are released, the damage to public confidence cannot be undone,” the lawyers argued in their lawsuit filed with the Missouri Supreme Court. “Securing ballots until this Court resolves the legal issues preserves the integrity of both the vote and the judicial process.” Phil LeVota, an attorney representing the recall effort in court who is also a candidate to become county executive if White is recalled, believes that Seaton’s ruling is strong enough to hold up in an appeal. “He made a pretty good order where he really cited a lot of case law,” he said. “The charter says 60 days, and I’m going to err on the side of getting it in front of people sooner than later. And there’s no downside to having (the election) on Sept. 30.” But White’s lawyers point to a 2002 precedent when a court ruled that a “floating timeframe” (like the 60-day requirement set by the 2023 ordinance) does not qualify as a specific election date authorized by law. Election outcome could be reversedThe Jackson County Circuit Court judge believes that the Sept. 30 election date was legal. But no other judges have given a legal opinion to back it up. There are still a couple of legal avenues for White and the election boards to challenge the results. The first option is the most recent Missouri Supreme Court case. White asked the judge to prevent the election boards from certifying the election results until the legal questions are resolved. That would keep White in office as county executive until the judges decide whether the election was legal. The second option is that the election boards appeal the case once the circuit judge certifies his ruling. At that point, the Western District Court of Appeals — and potentially the Missouri Supreme Court — would hear the case and decide whether Seaton was correct in setting the election for Sept. 30. The third option is for White to challenge the election results by suing the election boards. He could argue that there is reason to believe the election was unlawfully administered, and he could cite the election boards’ own argument in court earlier this year that Sept. 30 was not a legal date for an election. If any of those judges decides that Sept. 30 was an illegal date to hold an election, the court could order another election for a redo. At this point, that likely would not happen until April 2026. This wouldn’t be the first time that a ballot question had to go to voters for a redo. In November 2022, Missouri voters voted on a constitutional amendment to force Kansas City to increase its level of police funding from 20% of its budget to 25%. That constitutional amendment, put on the ballot by the Missouri General Assembly, passed by a wide margin — nearly two-thirds of Missourians voted “yes.” But then the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the ballot language was misleading. So a judge struck down the measure and ordered a new election with updated ballot language. It still passed, but by a much smaller margin — by about 24,000 votes, or 2.2%. With these legal questions looming, a messy scenario rests on the horizon. Imagine that the election boards certify the vote later this week or next week. The county executive position is vacated, and the county Legislature appoints a replacement. Meanwhile, the appeals court or the Missouri Supreme Court takes up White’s case about whether Sept. 30 was a legal date to hold an election. And suppose they rule in White’s favor — that elections must be scheduled only on days that are specifically outlined by Missouri statute or the county charter. That would mean that legally, White never should have been removed from office. And Jackson County would then have two county executives. LeVota believes the circuit judge’s ruling is compelling enough that an appeals court or the state Supreme Court would back it up. But he acknowledged the possibility of a political crisis as a result of the ongoing litigation around the recall. “The appeals court could come back,” LeVota said, “and say, ‘You know what, we don’t think the trial judge was right. We think it should have been a November election. We’re throwing that entire election out, and we’ll have to do a new one.’ That could definitely, definitely happen.” This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. 
In an order on Monday, August 4th, Jackson County Judge Marty Seaton granted the Jackson County Election Board and Kansas City Election Board's request to not move forward with an election on August 26th and denied their request to hold the recall election on November 4th. Judge Seaton ordered the recall election proceed on Tuesday, September 30th.
In a statement following the decision, Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. reiterated his claim that the recall effort is in retaliation for White's refusal to support subsidies for a new stadium. “This is a distraction from the work we should be doing. But I won’t be deterred. I was elected to serve the people of Jackson County, and I will continue to stand up for them, no matter how hard others try to silence that work.” Link to order: Microsoft Word - 2516-CV21560-Order and Judgment The Jackson County Legislature voted Monday 8-0 to schedule a special election following the successful certification of more than 42,900 valid signatures seeking to recall County Executive Frank White, Jr. In a release in advance of the vote, White called the effort "political theater" and stated the effort was retaliatory over the failed stadium tax campaign. “This recall effort is being funded, staffed and driven by many of the same political forces that backed the failed stadium tax campaign. After spending upwards of $10 million trying to convince voters to approve a blank check for new stadiums – and losing – they’ve now turned their attention to forcing a costly recall election. Much of the funding for this recall has come through a dark money political action committee that shields the identities of its donors from public view. That PAC has paid out-of-state contractors to gather signatures, making this anything but a grassroots effort," White said. In a release following the vote, Chairman DaRon McGee said, "We’ve heard from many residents—retirees, small business owners, families—who are facing real financial pressure and uncertainty. This petition reflects that a significant number of people felt compelled to act, and as public servants, it’s our job to honor that." "Our responsibility is to carry out this process with fairness, transparency, and integrity. We are not here to prejudge the outcome or take sides. We are here to ensure that the rule of law is followed and that voters have confidence in how this process unfolds." The special election will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. With a pathetic 14.1% voter turnout in Jackson County, voters turned down a bond issue to build a new city hall and community center. 55.59% voted no to defeat the issue.
Uncontested candidates in each of the City of Grain Valley's three wards were elected to terms on the Board of Aldermen. In Ward I, Jim Myers was elected to a first term. In Ward II, first time candidate Lisa Limberg was elected, and in Ward III, incumbent Brian Bray was voted in for another term. Incumbents Jason Williams and Jeffrey Porter retained their seats on the Grain Valley School Board. First time candidate Michael Cassidy came within 17 votes of Porter. As we continue our coverage of issues on the April ballot, we invited Grain Valley School Board candidates to submit answers to a short questionnaire to help voters get to know them better. All answers are printed as submitted without editing. Michael Cassidy Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.). My family and I have been residents of Grain Valley for the past eight years. My wife Liz is a psychologist at the University of Central Missouri Counseling Center. Our daughter Lily graduated from Grain Valley High School in 2023 and is currently studying Early Elementary Education at the University of Missouri. Our son John will graduate this year and head to UCM in the fall. We came to Grain Valley in 2017 when I was appointed to serve as the pastor of Faith United Methodist Church. The people of Faith have always been very active in the community, and it has been a blessing to follow their lead. Locally, I have served on the GVAC and Bright Futures boards, volunteered as a lunch buddy at Stony Point Elementary School, represented the community on several civic planning committees, been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and enjoy attending our monthly senior luncheons. Two things I'm most proud of are helping to revitalize our weekend BackSnack program for elementary school students and being invited to speak at our GVHS National Honor Society induction ceremony. Prior to joining the ministry, I taught theatre and performance studies at the college level and worked in the public school system in Japan. Why do you want to serve on the Grain Valley School Board? I am seeking a seat on the Grain Valley School Board to ensure that our education system is working for the good of every student, every day. I come from a family of public school educators. My mother was a music teacher, my grandmother was a special education teacher, and my great-grandmother was a one-room school teacher. My grandfather was a long-time school board president in my hometown in Indiana. I was raised to value the importance of education and the vital role that our public education system plays in the lives of our young people, both academically and personally. It has been difficult to watch local school boards in America become battlegrounds for national political agendas and springboards for individuals aspiring to partisan elected offices. I believe that the role of our local school board is to work alongside the administration, staff, and students as we do our best to ensure every student is given the best opportunities to succeed. This means we need to be willing to hear and respond to the needs of our local stakeholders rather than the outside noises that vie for our attention. Through my volunteer work and my children's experience in all areas of the Grain Valley School system, I have gotten to know and hear from a wide variety of teachers, staff, students, and families. I feel called to help ensure all voices are represented as the board makes important decisions that affect us all. Last year, voters approved a levy to help address teacher and staff pay in the district. Teacher pay is often cited as a reason why districts continue to struggle to attract and retain teachers. What other factors, besides teacher pay, do you feel are critical to address in the district to retain quality teachers and staff? Last year's levy was a big step in bringing teacher pay in Grain Valley more in line with the school systems in our area, and one of the reasons why our teacher retention rate rose this year. This is a positive step for Grain Valley Schools. Culture is another critical component to teacher retention. Grain Valley is an attractive community for families and our place in the Kansas City Metro is also appealing. Finally, both as a parent and a volunteer in our school system, I can say that the administrators and leaders in our schools do great work creating a positive work environment for our teachers. As a school board, we have the opportunity to continue to foster that positive culture. By creating a community where administrators, staff, and teachers feel seen and heard, where their expertise and experience are valued and trusted, and where we are not adversaries but working together for the success of all our students, we can build a work environment that is challenging and rewarding for all of our teachers. How would you assess the levels at which students are achieving academically in the district? What are areas of concern? Overall, Grain Valley Schools does an admirable job preparing our students for life after graduation. I've been continually impressed by the amount of scholarship money our college-bound students receive, our National Merit semi-finalists and students receiving commendations, and the opportunities for our students pursuing a trade. Like many school districts, though, we continue to test below grade level in math and reading. As a board member, I would ensure that we continue to explore what has worked for other school districts in raising these numbers and how best to implement new practices in our setting. What are the top issues the board should focus on in the next 3-5 years? At every state of the school system presentation or school board meeting I've attended, I walk away impressed with how our administrators manage the tight, shifting funding sources for our schools. Missouri ranks 49th for state public school funding. This means that a lot of the burden falls on us locally to provide our students with safe, quality educational opportunities. With some changes coming at the federal level, I anticipate that things will only get more difficult. This is especially true in the area of special education services. Grain Valley is blessed with one of the top programs for special education in the area and we continue to attract new families because of these services. As the cost of living increases, we will also need to work creatively to ensure that we continue to provide the compensation needed to employ the best teachers, support staff, paras, and administrators. Ultimately, the most important issue for our school system will be to continue living fully and truly into our mission to serve every student, every day by seeing, listening to, and supporting every student, every day. Jeff Porter Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.). I have lived in Grain Valley for just over nine years. I married my beautiful wife in April of 2016 and we have three awesome children ages 7, 5, and 3. The oldest is in first grade at Prairie Branch Elementary, our middle child attends one of our local fantastic preschools and also attends the Early Childhood Center, and our youngest also attends the same local preschool. I am the Vice President of a construction company based in Lee’s Summit. I have worked for and been associated with the same company for twenty one years. My position and role in the company gives me broad insight into the workings of multimillion dollar budgets, large scale healthcare benefits programs, and what it takes to operate an organization with hundreds of employees. All of this directly correlates to the operations of the school district and provides me with the experience necessary for guiding decisions that directly impact our students, staff, and community. We are active parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs where I am also a member of the Parish Council. I was originally elected to the Grain Valley School Board in April of 2022, and I was elected as the President of the Board by my peers in April of 2024. Why do you want to serve on the Grain Valley School Board? I value the time that I have been allowed to serve on the School Board and we have accomplished so many things including updating and improving our security, adding school resource officer (SRO) positions, making major facility upgrades and significant wage adjustments for all staff positions, updating curriculum and standards for our students and more. But our work is not done. I want to continue to push for more curriculum and standards to be updated, and focus even more efforts towards our Special Education (SPED) department. Our special needs students deserve all the resources they require and I will help to keep that a top priority. Last year, voters approved a levy to help address teacher and staff pay in the district. Teacher pay is often cited as a reason why districts continue to struggle to attract and retain teachers. What other factors, besides teacher pay, do you feel are critical to address in the district to retain quality teachers and staff? I feel it is important to continue to foster a positive climate and culture within our district. This takes constant nurturing and maintenance and our teachers, staff members, students, and parents need to all feel comfortable communicating with each other and know that they are being heard when they bring forward concerns to any level within our district. While we have worked on this over the past three years since I have served on the school board, there is still room for improvement. I feel I have made myself open and available for anyone to bring concerns to me and I will continue to strive for this same transparency should I be re-elected. How would you assess the levels at which students are achieving academically in the district? We have students that are achieving at all different levels and we are still trying to correct the learning loss caused by COVID. This ties back to getting the curriculum and standards up to date so that we are providing our teachers with the course work they need to be able to challenge every student. Unfortunately we are still behind the curve on this task. However our administrators know that this is a top priority and have a plan to make gains on this monumental task. What are areas of concern? Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be a growing challenge and we as a district have to stay in front of it as much as possible to maintain the integrity of our learning system. Social media and student’s use of personal technology during school hours is also a concern of mine that I would like to try to address. If re-elected, this is an area I would like to explore to determine if our district has issues and if so, what can be done to correct identified problems. What are the top issues the board should focus on in the next 3-5 years? I believe everyone in our community and District is aware of the Jackson County Property tax assessment debacle. With the most recent ruling by the court that ordered the County to roll back the assessed values to no more than 15% of the 2022 values, this will cause a major headache and issue for us as a district. The district generates a budget based on the data the County provides to us. And this budget includes raises and different things that are very good for our staff members. But when the County provides bad data we in turn generate a faulty budget. The money has already been spent from the previous budgets. Now it will be imperative to have strong leaders that can work with the county Legislature and Executive to figure out how to rectify this problem at the same time so we do not cause harm to the district and the progress we have made. I have already been a part of some conversations between County officials and our Administration and I believe we can find a path forward that will be good for all. Jason Williams Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.). My family and I have lived in Grain Valley for almost 9 years now. My daughter graduated from GV in ’21, and my oldest son graduated in ’24. I have another son that is currently a Sophomore. My wife and I look forward to meeting our first grandchild that will be born in the next couple of weeks! I am the founding Pastor of Valley Community Church here in GV. We hold our services every week at Sni-A-Bar Elementary. Why do you want to serve on the Grain Valley School Board? My family and I love this community! I was elected to the board 3 years ago and I have enjoyed the privilege of serving our community in this way. Over those three years, I have seen and learned a lot about our District. I believe that we are a thriving and growing school district with a quality administration. But there are important decisions ahead of us and it will require strong leadership to answer the questions and meet the upcoming needs. My past experiences give a unique perspective that I believe will continue to allow me to be a help to our District. Last year, voters approved a levy to help address teacher and staff pay in the district. Teacher pay is often cited as a reason why districts continue to struggle to attract and retain teachers. What other factors, besides teacher pay, do you feel are critical to address in the district to retain quality teachers and staff? We have recently increased teacher pay each of the last three years that I have been on the board, but there is more that could be done to gain and retain great teachers. We have a strong and thriving community and district with great family values that encourages more like-minded families to move into our district. Because of this, it makes Grain Valley an attractive place for teachers with families to want to come. As a growing district, one of the factors will be to approve the hiring of extra teachers as class sizes grow so that class size does not grow too large causing a greater burden on our teachers. We are also looking at a couple additional factors for teachers for the coming year. One of those is ensuring adequate prep time for all our teachers. Another is helping with insurance benefits that are increasingly eating into the extra pay that teachers are receiving from their pay increases. Both are just a couple of the things that we will be considering as a board in the coming months. How would you assess the levels at which students are achieving academically in the district? What are areas of concern? Like all districts, our test scores were down during COVID, but have been steadily rising in the years since. I am proud of where we rank as a district, and it is a reflection of the great students in our community and our teachers. But there is always room for improvement. To do this, we must continue the push to develop needed curriculum for all grade levels and subjects, so that students are getting the same grade level instruction district wide. Recently added committees have allowed for parents, community members and others to give helpful feedback during the development process. This is a great avenue for parents and other stakeholders to feel like they can participate in their child’s education and I encourage more people to get involved, especially at the early stages. The answer is not less community and parent involvement, but more! What are the top issues the board should focus on in the next 3-5 years? Safety and security for our students and teachers will always need to be a top priority for any school board in the future. With the growing number of threats to schools across the country, we must stay ever vigilant to make sure we are as prepared as possible in case of an active threat, and to deter any threat from ever happening! I am pleased about the security measures that we have recently put in place, including adding another SRO this past year. And we will continue to address security needs in the future. Safety concerns for our students such as cyber-attacks, social media threats, bullying, and much more, will be ongoing areas of focus. A growing district like ours will face many challenges. We must be prepared to meet these challenges like added buildings, budgets and bonds, hiring new quality teachers, more extra-curricular activities for a growing number of students and the extra space required, and much more. A growing district is an awesome and exciting thing. But the challenges that come with it must be met with forward vision, new ideas, and out of the box thinking that can enable us to do more with what we have while adding the new where we can. It is an exciting time for Grain Valley and I look forward to being a small part in the growth of its future! 
On April 8, Grain Valley residents will have the opportunity to make a vital investment in the future of our city. A General Obligation (GO) Bond proposal will be on the ballot, asking voters to approve funding for the construction of a new municipal complex, one that will include a modern City Hall and a much needed Community Center.
This is more than just a building project. It’s a bold step forward for a growing city that is ready to meet the needs of its residents today and for decades to come. The Case for a New City Hall Grain Valley has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Our population has more than tripled since 2000 and will do so again by 2050, and city staff are still operating out of buildings that were never designed to accommodate a city of our current size. The current City Hall lacks the space, technology, and functionality required to efficiently serve the public or support modern government operations. The reality is that our existing facilities were built under the philosophy of simply getting it done inexpensively, with little forethought or planning for the future. At the time, no one could have predicted just how quickly Grain Valley would grow, or how soon those buildings would be stretched far beyond their intended capacity. As a result, we're now left with city facilities that are outdated, overcrowded, and fundamentally mismatched for the needs of a modern municipality. A new City Hall means improved access for residents, greater operational efficiency, and room to grow. It also means better security, ADA compliance, and workspaces that promote collaboration between departments. It’s not about extravagance it’s about delivering basic services the right way. Importantly, these new facilities will be designed from the start with expansion in mind. Rather than waiting until we're beyond capacity and forced into another expensive overhaul, the new City Hall and Community Center will have the flexibility to grow with us. When the time comes, we’ll be able to build upon the original footprint and continue serving residents well beyond current growth projection without needing to start from scratch. A True Community Center for Everyone For years, our residents have asked for more recreational and wellness opportunities, more gathering spaces, and more programming for kids, teens, adults, and seniors. The new Community Center, included in the bond proposal, answers that call. This facility would house multi-purpose spaces, indoor walking tracks, meeting rooms, and recreational amenities that support health, family, and community connection. In an era where social isolation is rising and community engagement is declining nationwide, Grain Valley has a chance to buck the trend by building a place where people of all ages can come together. Why a GO Bond Makes Sense A General Obligation Bond is the most financially responsible tool the city can use to fund a project of this size. Backed by the full faith and credit of the city, GO Bonds offer the lowest interest rates available to municipalities, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers. The city has responsibly managed its finances and kept taxes low, and now is the time to strategically invest in infrastructure that benefits every resident. This proposal avoids the need to raise sales taxes or utility rates protecting the essential costs families face every day while still allowing us to invest in critical infrastructure our city needs. Investing in Our Identity Grain Valley is no longer just a small town on the edge of the Kansas City Metro. We are now part of the Kansas City Metro. Our growth, our economy, and our opportunities are increasingly tied to the larger region around us. We need civic infrastructure that reflects that evolution. This project isn’t about luxury it’s about longevity. It’s about creating a civic campus that reflects our values, supports our growth, and anchors our future. Make Your Voice Heard It’s important to recognize that there is opposition to this project. While that opposition is small in number, it is vocal, organized, and fully committed to showing up at the ballot box on April 8. If the silent majority stays home, we risk allowing a minority voice to shape the future of our city. Now is the time to step up. If you support responsible growth, modern infrastructure, and long-term investment in our community then make your voice heard where it matters most: at the polls. I urge my fellow residents to vote Yes on April 8. Let’s build something we can all be proud of. As we continue our coverage of issues on the April ballot, we invited Board of Aldermen candidates to submit answers to a short questionnaire to help voters get to know them better. All answers are printed as submitted without editing.  Brian Bray, Aldermen Ward III Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.) I’ve been a resident of Grain Valley since 2006 and have proudly served as Alderman for Ward III since April 2023. Prior to my election, I spent several years on the Grain Valley Park Board, where I contributed to long-term planning and the stewardship of our city’s parklands. My professional background is in Information Technology — I currently work at Mastercard as a Principal Solution Architect, designing and managing complex software and network systems. With over 30 years in the IT field, I bring a strategic, problem-solving mindset to both my professional role and my work on the Board of Aldermen. I have raised three sons here. Two have graduated from Grain Valley High School and are pursuing careers in National Defense and the Electrical Trade. My youngest is currently a student at GVHS and is active in the JROTC program. We are deeply rooted in this community, and I consider it a privilege to serve my neighbors. Tell us why you would like to serve another term on the board. Grain Valley is growing, and with that growth comes both opportunity and responsibility. I’m seeking a second term to continue advocating for smart, balanced development that respects the character of our community while preparing us for the future. Over my last term, I’ve worked to be transparent, and support initiatives that keep our neighborhoods safe and connected. I am a firm believer in representing the needs of my constituents over my own and strive to stay connected with the community via social media and other channels. There’s still work to be done, and I want to continue being a voice for residents who care about thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, and the overall well-being of our city. I believe in open dialogue, practical solutions, and steady leadership — and I’m committed to helping Grain Valley thrive. What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts? 1. Managed Growth and Infrastructure As Grain Valley continues to grow, we must ensure our infrastructure keeps pace. That includes roads, utilities, public safety services, and amenities like parks. I support planning that aligns development with long-term sustainability — working closely with staff, developers, and residents to make sure we grow the right way. 2. Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability Residents deserve confidence in how their tax dollars are being used. I’ve actively challenged the county’s handling of property tax assessments and will continue advocating for oversight, transparency, and strong financial stewardship at the city level. I’ll support budgeting practices that prioritize core services and long-term investments over short-term gains. 3. Community Safety and Quality of Life Whether it’s investing in law enforcement, my push to expanding anti-bullying initiatives to protect our children, or supporting recreational opportunities for families, I believe local government plays a key role in enhancing quality of life. I’ll continue to promote partnerships between the city, schools, and civic groups to foster a safe, engaged, and welcoming environment for all residents.  Lisa Limberg, Alderman Candidate Ward II 1) Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.) * I have lived in Grain Valley for over 38 years and have a deep connection with the community. As a mother of two Grain Valley graduates and a grandmother to four grandchildren and two bonus grandchildren, I am passionate about contributing to the town’s growth. I currently serve on the Grain Valley Park Board and previously dedicated 20 years as a Board Member for the Grain Valley Assistance Council. With 25 years of experience working in the Grain Valley School District and my current role with the Board of Directors for Kansas City Public Schools, I bring a deep understanding of educational systems and governance. Throughout my career, I have attended over 650 board meetings, served as Board Secretary, and provided administrative support to six Superintendents. These experiences have provided me with invaluable insights into effective leadership, strategic decision-making, and fostering strong community engagement. Tell us why you would like to serve on the Board of Aldermen. I am passionate about being a voice for our senior citizens, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive. Our seniors have contributed so much to our community, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are heard and valued. I am also in support of expanding our community facilities: Advocate for the construction of a new, larger community center to provide a hub for community activities and events. Promoting Smart Growth: Implement smart growth strategies that encourage sustainable development, protect open spaces, and enhance the quality of life. I believe that by working together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I am committed to being a proactive and responsive leader who listens to your concerns and takes action to make our community a better place for all. What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years and how would you support these efforts? Community Development and Infrastructure 1. Expanding Community Facilities: Grain Valley's population has tripled in the past 25 years, creating a need for larger and more modern community facilities.
 Jim Myers, Alderman Candidate Ward I Please tell us about yourself (work background, volunteer service, elected positions held, etc.). I have worked in Grain Valley for 16 years and have lived here for the past 10 years. I am a career educator currently serving as the Principal at Grain Valley South Middle School. Before that, I was a middle school teacher in the Liberty Public School District. Altogether, I have dedicated 32 years to education. Additionally, I served in the Army National Guard for nine years. This is my first time seeking public office. Tell us why you would like to serve on the Board of Aldermen. Serving on the Board of Aldermen would allow me to continue giving back to the community beyond my career as an educator. For years, I have followed the issues impacting our city, and I believe now is the right time to become more actively involved in shaping decisions that affect Grain Valley’s future. What do you believe are the three most important issues the City should be focused on in the next five years, and how would you support these efforts? First, we need to make Grain Valley an attractive place for people of all ages to call home. Our proximity to Kansas City is a tremendous asset, and we should continue leveraging that to grow our community.Second, we must focus on attracting more retail businesses to Grain Valley. I believe we are approaching a pivotal moment where this growth will accelerate, and I want to help guide that process. Finally, Grain Valley is still primarily a bedroom community. It’s essential to bring in employers who can offer high-paying jobs to our residents, reducing the need to commute elsewhere for work and enhancing our local economy.  Image credit: City of Grain Valley As previously reported, (Municipal Facilities Focus Group hosts open house to debut city hall, community center plans), voters will be asked to approve a $24.6 million bond issue on the April 2025 ballot to fund construction of a new city hall and community center building on the site of the old Sni-A-Bar Farm on south Buckner Tarsney Road, just south of the new Mid-Continent Public Library. Ballot Language: Shall the City of Grain Valley, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $24,600,000 for the purpose of site development and the acquiring, constructing, improving, furnishing, and equipping of a new municipal complex, to include a city hall and a community center? The new facilities would replace existing facilities built in the early 2000s and located just south of I-70. City officials indicated that the former Sni-A-Bar Farm is the only city-owned property in Grain Valley that could accommodate the scope of these facilities. While the plan up for approval includes a new city hall and community center facility, the Municipal Facilities Focus Group emphasized the need for the city to plan for a new aquatics facility on the site within 3-5 years. The bond proposal would fund the construction of the facilities, and if approved it would not cause an increase to the current tax levy. In a dedicated webpage on the City website promoting the plan, the city points out the tax levy has decreased by 30% since 2020. For more information on the proposed project, visit Valley Vision-Municipal Facilities | Our City, Our Future. If approved, final design and construction documents will begin immediately, with completion of the project taking approximately 18 months. Filing has closed for candidates intending to run for open seats on the Grain Valley Board of Aldermen and Grain Valley School Board. Those filing to run for open alderman seats: Brian Bray; Alderman Ward III Jim Myers; Alderman Ward I Lisa Limberg, Alderman Ward II There is one open seat in each of the city's three wards. The following candidates have filed for the April 2025 Grain Valley School Board election: Jeffrey Porter Michael Cassidy Jason Williams With the Jackson County Election Board reporting a 77% turnout, Republican candidates in Missouri had a predictably good night. Locally, in Missouri House District 32, Republican Jeff Coleman retained his seat for another term. In Senate District 11, Republican candidate Joe Nicola defeated Democrat Robert Sauls.
Democrat Melesa Johnson was elected Tuesday evening as Jackson County prosecutor. Voters in Jackson County also approved Question 1, levying a property tax of $50 per $100,000 of assessed value for the purpose of providing services to persons sixty years of age or older. For more reporting on statewide and national races, visit Home • Missouri Independent. Two candidates are running to serve in House District 32: incumbent candidate Jeff Coleman (R) and Jennifer Cassidy (D). Each candidate was invited to respond to a series of questions by Grain Valley News. Coleman did not provide responses. Cassidy responded and her unedited responses are provided below.
Jennifer Cassidy, (D), candidate for Missouri House District 32. Please share why you are running to serve District 32. I am running to serve District 32 because I felt it was time for not only a democrat, but a woman needed to step up. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, we had a trigger law that immediately went into effect to ban women’s healthcare in our state. Since that has happened, including attacks on Planned Parenthood, which have not been able to perform abortions in Missouri for quite some time, bills have been introduce to defund them completely. This disaffects women and girls, poor and disadvantaged, as well as women that do not have insurance in the state of Missouri. The rhetoric from the extreme right in our Missouri government was largely silent, until a former president made it “okay” to divide our country. We have been invaded by extremists, defunded by people that have no regard for anyone else. I was certainly concerned and sickened by the explosion of hatred that I had never seen before, at least on these unprecedented levels. My daughter was born with Down Syndrome. She struggled every day of her 24 year old life. I was her advocate, her caregiver, her cheerleader, and her strength. She was non-verbal, and due to her health issues, we had to stop her menses. We kept her home and kept her safe during the pandemic, and unfortunately, her congental heart issues is what finally caused her death. While she never caught Covid, we struggled with her care. I created my business to cater to her needs, but it was astounding to me that other people in the similar situation simply had no resources. She would likley have not been able to receive reproductive care under the current ban in Missouri due to her not being able to communicate with us, or that she wouldn’t have had the symptoms of a pregnancy should that have happen. A pregnacy (she couldn’t consent, and would have been a victim of rape) would have absolutely killed her. We love our community, the school district is one of the best in the state of Missouri. Yet Missouri rates at 49th at starting teacher pay. Defunding the schools will have massive reprocussions for the state, and I say: NOT ON MY WATCH. If elected, what are your priorities this next term? If I am elected, I have many issues that are important, however, even though I am running as an “ideologist” as I have been called, I am also a realist. I am going to concentrate on the things that I feel can be accomplished.
Discuss how you plan to achieve these priorities while working within what is arguably a dysfunctional, gridlocked system in Jefferson City. We are aware of the small amount of legislation that has been enacted, brought to the floor, and debated upon as the Democratic minority in our Missouri legislature. It is time to elect more Democratics, more moderate Republicans. Republicans make up approximate 70% of our Missouri legislature. Of that, 20% are religious extremists, and they have a brand of politics that do not reflect Republican values of fiscal conservatism, but rather represent the religious right, dictation of the rights of women’s healthcare, and chaos politics. We cannot accept any further policies that only benefit a small population of Missouri citizens, because the Missouri elected politicians should WORK FOR ALL constituents. Dark money needs to be exposed, as we, as Missouri citizens voted on, yet have been ignored by our leadership. Democrats are willing to do the work for the citizens of Missouri, and not a populist performance based upon radical right beliefs and views. It is time to get back to the business of governing, and not attempting to cater to billionaires and lobbyists. As we saw this summer, we had a small group of Democrats filibustering to prevent legislation that would suppress voter’s voices and rights with the IP process. We were succesful, however we know that the fight has only just begun. I pledge to uphold the will of the voters. And I believer that our legislators in our Missour House and Senate, as well as our Governor, Lt Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer and our Attorney General, and will continue to fight for the rights of Missourians. We don’t need the same brand of radical politics in Jefferson City that we have had for over 20 years. It’s time to get back to making this state one of the best places to be. |
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