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USD 232 Breaks Ground on Bond 2026 Phase I

USD 232 Breaks Ground on Bond 2026 Phase I

LENEXA, Kan. (September 18, 2026) – USD 232 students, Board of Education members, district staff, community members, and special guest Kansas Governor Laura Kelly gathered Friday morning at Cedar Trails Exploration Center to celebrate the start of construction on Phase 1 of Bond 2026.

Governor Kelly briefly addressed attendees, speaking about the important role of public education and the value of investing in students and their futures.

Eighteen students took part in the ceremonial groundbreaking — six early childhood students, six middle school students, and six high school students. Their participation reflects the purpose of the bond, which is to expand opportunity for students at every stage of their education.

Guests were also treated to a performance by five Mill Creek Middle School orchestra students and Director Elena Kolbrek De Leon. The district's orchestra program is in its second year as a fine arts opportunity available at all secondary schools, and the bond includes renovations at every secondary school to support it.

A Community-Supported Plan

In March 2026, after months of study and feedback from hundreds of stakeholders, the Board of Education asked voters to consider a $99.85 million bond proposal with no increase in the tax rate. Voters approved it because the bond addresses needs in three areas: safety and security, student opportunity, and growth and facilities.

What's Included in Phase I

  • Adding classrooms for the district's early childhood program at Cedar Trails Exploration Center
  • New space at Monticello Trails Middle School for special education, orchestra, and a multi-purpose room that will double as a storm shelter
  • Security fencing at the district's elementary schools
  • Secured door access points on additional exterior doors across the district

USD 232 is working with HTK Architects on design and Newkirk Novak Construction Partners on construction management for the Bond 2026 projects.

To learn more about the bond and follow project progress, visit usd232.org/bond2026. We’ll begin updating this page on a regular basis in late October and ongoing.

About USD 232

USD 232 welcomes more than 7,300 students each day, from early childhood through grade 12, at 14 campuses: seven elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, The Bridge (special education program), and the Cedar Trails Exploration Center. The district covers nearly 100 square miles in northwest Johnson County and draws from the community of De Soto and portions of Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe, and unincorporated areas of the county.

A man in a safety vest speaks from a podium in the foreground, with a large informational sign and a modern building in the background.

Alvie Cater opens the ceremony.

A young girl speaks into a microphone at a podium in the foreground, with flags and a tan building in the background.

Mill Creek Middle School student Lucy F. leads guests in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Young musicians play string instruments in a grassy field in front of a large yellow construction vehicle.

Middle school orchestra students perform for guests.

A man speaks at a podium in the foreground, with a row of white hard hats and a blue flag set against a modern building in the background.

Superintendent Dr. Cory Gibson speaks to guests.

A group of people wearing grey t-shirts stand in a line in the foreground against a sunny outdoor background with a fence and other spectators.

Early Childhood staff stand among attendees.

A woman stands at a podium next to a blue flag and a large informational sign in front of a white building.

Governor Laura Kelly speaks to guests.

A group of adults and children wearing hard hats hold shovels in the foreground, standing before a large yellow CAT construction vehicle and a brick building in the background.

Early Childhood students, Dr. Cory Gibson, and Governor Laura Kelly participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

A group of teens and one adult stand in a row holding shovels with red bows in the foreground, with a large yellow CAT bulldozer and a brick building in the background.

Mill Creek Middle School students and Dr. Cory Gibson participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

A group of people stand behind a row of shovels and hard hats in the foreground, with a large yellow CAT construction vehicle and a building in the background.

CTEC CAPS high school students, Dr. Cory Gibson, and Governor Laura Kelly participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Five people in hard hats use red-bowed shovels to break ground in the foreground, with a large yellow CAT construction vehicle in the background.

Board of Education members, Dr. Cory Gibson, and Governor Laura Kelly participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

A group of women stand behind a row of shovels and white hard hats on a dirt field in front of a large yellow CAT construction vehicle and a building.

Early Childhood staff participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.

A large group of people stands behind hard hats and shovels on a dirt field in front of a large building and a yellow CAT bulldozer.

HTK Architects, Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, Dr. Cory Gibson, and Governor Laura Kelly participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.