Metropolitan Community Colleges asks voters to approve levy on April ballot

     On April 6th, voters in eight metro school districts, including Grain Valley, will be asked to approve the attachment of their district to Metropolitan Community Colleges (MCC). Approval of the measure would add a levy of approximately $.21 to property tax bills.
     The benefit to residents within MCC districts is a reduction in tuition for students residing in those districts of almost 50%. Currently, Grain Valley residents attending MCC pay $198 per credit hour; in-district tuition is currently $107.
     The ballot question reads “For the purpose of providing greater affordable access to quality higher education by providing in-district tuition rates for residents within the Grain Valley R-V School District, shall the Grain Valley R-V School District be attached to The Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri, effective the 22nd day of April 2021?”
     According to MCC, in the 2019-2020 school year, 304 students from the 64029 zip code were enrolled at MCC campuses (2018-2019: 294, 2017-2018: 292).
     Mentioned twice in the ballot language, Grain Valley Schools released a statement to district patrons via email last week distancing itself from the ballot language, clarifying that the district did not place the measure on the ballot, and revenue generated from the levy would go to MCC. The district stated it would not be taking a stance on the measure.
     An MCC informational flyer on the proposed levy cites December 2020 estimates from Zillow Research that the average market value of a single family home in Grain Valley is $258,000. Using this estimate, the average homeowner would see an increase of $104.31 on their annual tax bill to support MCC. 
     A simple majority (more than 50%) of voters must vote for approval in order for the attachment to pass.