Dismal voter turnout for April election; MCC and CJCFPD measures pass

     With just 10.5% of County voters casting a ballot, Grain Valley voters approved a measure to attach to the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri. Residents within the school district boundaries will now be eligible for in-district tuition rates at Metropolitan Community Colleges. The ballot measure won with 57.17% of the vote.
     Grain Valley residents may take advantage of in-district tuition rates beginning in the summer 2021 semester. Registration for summer courses begins Monday, April 12th.                
     A new tuition structure for Metropolitan Community College will take effect with the Fall 2021 semester. Tuition will increase from $107 to $116 per credit hour for in-district students, but MCC will eliminate most course fees currently added on top of tuition. Fees to be eliminated include lab fees, various course and program fees, the general fee of $10 per semester, distance education fee of $15 per credit hour for internet classes, student activity fee of $2 per credit hour, and technology fee of $5 per credit hour.
     MCC states the move to remove these fees is meant to increase transparency regarding the true cost of courses for students, and that the removal of most fees means that many students will pay no more than they do now.
     The two nursing programs offered by MCC will see a reduction in costs to students of nearly $2,500. The estimated cost to complete the LPN certificate will be approximately $735 less once the elimination of fees takes effect.
     The utility lineman program is estimated to be $2,000 less to complete the A.A.S. degree. Students in the A.A.S. degree programs in automotive technology (mechanical), HVAC and surgical technology will also become more affordable according to MCC.
     Voters served by the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) gave resounding support for two questions placed on the ballot asking voters for their support in adding a second fire station on the north side of Grain Valley. Question 1 was approved with 80.96% of the vote; Question 2 received 68.11% of the vote.
     In Ward 1, current alderman Tom Cleaver defeated Dale Arnold with 54.95% of the vote. In Ward 2, incumbent Nancy Totton lost her seat to challenger Darren Mills, who received 63.64% of the vote. In Ward 3, incumbent Shea Bass held his seat, defeating first-time candidate Kristen Rising. Bass received 58.33% of the vote.