Platte County EDC Public Policy Action Team
February 20, 2014
In attendance were Ed Bradley, Councilman Ed Ford, Commissioner Duane Soper, Gene Hanson, Jeff
Elsea, Patricia Jensen, Greg Foss, Scott Springston, Nicole Kirby, Alicia Stephens and Diane Jones.
Ed Bradley welcomed the group.
GoRail Letter of Support
Bradley asked what GoRail is. Stephens and commissioners met with a representative of GoRail. a
lobbyist group. The idea is to prevent any legislation that would impair rail. There isn’t any specific
legislation. The representative said if we would lend our support he would provide a sample letter.
Stephens pointed out that although we have active rail in Platte County we don’t have many stops. The
PCEDC has not sent a letter of support for rail within the last 10 years. Councilman Ford pointed out that
they like the Staggers Act and appear to be concerned that it will be repealed. Bradley asked if the
County has taken a position. Commissioner Soper said they will take a position. He said they’re
concerned with trucking. His issue with it is that the County has been asked to participate in a cost share
for better roads for trucking. They want Platte County to participate in building a new Leavenworth
Bridge. Patricia Jensen said she doesn’t mind supporting rail systems but she doesn’t like the fourth
paragraph in the sample letter. She said she thinks funding the highway system is important, so she
doesn’t want a sentence in the letter that sounds like we don’t care about the highway system.
Patricia Jensen moved that the team recommend the letter to the board, removing the fourth
paragraph. It was seconded by Chris Byrd. The motion carried.
Presentation from Park Hill High School District – Scott Springston and Nicole Kirby
Part of the increased levy funding would give the school board some ability to use funds in the first
three years for student safety. A video was presented. The Future Learner Project (FLIP) would provide
more technology access. This year all fifth-graders have a laptop, and high school students have FLIP
classrooms. They will roll out the program to sixth through eighth grade over the next few years.
Springston said we must prepare our students for a technology rich workforce. Park Hill has some of the
highest test scores in the state. They’ve found that FLIP classrooms are more engaging; student
achievement was higher in the FLIP pilot classroom. There isn’t currently enough money in reserves to
complete the expansion of the program. An expert has also recommended safety improvements.
They anticipate the cost for a $200,000 home will be $5/month for the first three years, then $10/month
for the remaining years. They will only take as much as is needed.
Springston said the technology will “FLIP” the way teaching and learning is done. Homework will be
done in the classroom to reinforce learning. FLIP won’t be just providing the tools; they will also train
the teachers to use the tools. They need support for ongoing technology needs. They’ve seen in the pilot
students collaborating not only in the classroom but also at home. He said these tools allow them to
reach each child at their level and provide immediate feedback.
With recent school shootings, they are also concerned about safety and threat assessment. The levy will
help provide such things as security cameras. Springston shared that Park Hill’s is second from the
lowest tax levy in the KC metro. There was a reduction in operating expenses from 2010 to 2011. They
added an elementary school since 2010 as well as adding students to the district. He said colleges and
universities are also “flipping” their classrooms.
Platte County EDC Public Policy Action Team
February 20, 2014
Stephens asked what the North Kansas City School District ballot issue is. Springston said bonds and an
operational levy, he didn’t know the amount. Jensen asked whether there is any room in the current
levy to pay for these things. Springston said the way it works is that the superintendent recommends a
budget. They have built in reserves because they haven’t used the full levy for their budget every year.
The reserves were used to pay for the pilot program and they’ve shifted a portion of the textbook
budget to the FLIP program.
Jeff Elsea asked what expenses they could decrease and still do FLIP without a levy. Springston said
they’ve done that analysis and they’re looking at other ways to increase income. Right now they are at a
22% reserve and the board targets 18%. Once they get through next year’s fiscal budget they’ll be back
down to 18%. Their main cost is personnel. Springston feels they’ve been as efficient as they can be.
Elsea asked if the state has a recommended reserve amount. Springston said no, but most school
districts aim for 18%.
Bradley said this levy would be dedicated to capital, for the most part. He asked if this will sunset or
convert to operational. Springston said this is an operational levy and it won’t sunset. When the
foundation formula is fully funded they are able to adjust the levy down. The 32 cents is set for 20162017. As they begin to expand use they may see additional operational cost to support demand. The
laptops will have a three-year lease. Every year they will have a new platform. Having a lease gave them
the ability to stabilize their costs. Bradley asked how long FLIP has been around. Springston said 15 years
or more, but in the last five years it’s really caught on. Most districts don’t start with fifth grade. Park Hill
ran a pilot in nine of the fifth grade classes; they were able to work with one teacher for all those
classes. They will be phasing in the technology.
Bradley asked if this will allow them to increase classroom size. Springston said they’re looking at the
possibility of doing a blend of virtual and classroom learning. They’re also looking at the CAPS program.
He said they have about 10,600 students and will continue to grow.
Byrd said one of the things he noticed with his children is that in one of his child’s classes the majority of
his grade is on projects. They are required to make multi-media presentations, such as PowerPoint, but
the technology is not supplied to the students.
Springston has been working with Mid Continent Public Library for hotspot connectivity for students
who don’t have the technology at home. Springston said they need to address the question as to how
they will get connectivity for students.
Stephens asked if there is any organized opposition to the levy. Springston said he’s not aware of any
but he will let her know.
Chris Byrd moved to recommend the Platte County EDC support the levy and Councilman Ford
seconded. The motion carried.
2014 Legislative Priorities
Jensen explained that she, Stephens and Diane Jones looked at our school districts’ priorities, Northland
Chamber’s, the EDC of Kansas City’s and our communities’ when putting together our legislative
priorities. A list of priorities was in the meeting packet. Stephens said the blue law for motorcycle sales
Platte County EDC Public Policy Action Team
February 20, 2014
is specific to Platte County. Rick Worth (Worth Harley-Davidson) told her that Kansas dealers even use
the Blue Law to their advantage in their advertising.
Bradley asked how we should communicate these to our legislators. Stephens said several people will be
going to Northland Days in Jefferson City. Jensen thought we should write a letter. Ford said we should
see if there is any similar legislation that could be pushed. Stephens said she had heard that there is no
legislation about bonding capacity but then Myron Neth told her there is some. The school districts
would rather be fully funded. Ford thought we could be a little stronger on the open enrollment issue
and Jensen said we could say that we oppose any legislation. Ford thought we almost need to repeal
legislation but Bradley said existing legislation doesn’t affect Platte County. Ford thinks there is a
domino effect. He said it may affect Park Hill in 10 years. Jensen suggested we oppose any legislation
that mandates open enrollment of students for Platte County and urge repeal of current legislation.
Byrd said it does affect Platte County because North Kansas City District comes into Platte County. He
said more important is what it does to workforce. Byrd said he doesn’t understand why we would want
to add “for Platte County.” Duane Soper moved that we change the priorities to say “We oppose any
legislation that mandates open enrollment of students and urge repeal of current legislation mandating
open enrollment.” Councilman Ford seconded and the motion carried.
There was an announcement in the paper today – Ford said Kansas City hired a negotiator to negotiate
with the airlines on the passenger fee and it sounds like they did a good job. Jensen heard some
reference to when Sacramento did renovation. Bradley said when Ron Ricks was here they were very
proud of what they did with Love Field. He thinks they want to build one here.
Bradley said he thinks it’s appropriate that we support Mark VanLoh. He said the overhaul base is full,
Stephens noted that the Ambassador Building is full. Trammel Crow development is moving. Bradley
pointed out that VanLoh isn’t the one making a decision to build a new airport. Commissioner Soper said
there are a lot of airports that would love to have someone like Mark VanLoh and his team. Stephens
thinks the message needs to go to the council and the City Administrator. Ford thinks it might be
appropriate to do a letter to Troy Schulte presenting all the successes the airport has had the last few
years under VanLoh. The Executive Committee will discuss it. Soper thought the letter should come from
the entire PCEDC board.
Ford said he made the point to Kevin Koster that VanLoh must be doing something right, to have won so
many awards. Soper suggested that the EDC write an editorial and send it to the paper. Jensen thought
it might be better to just deal with Schulte. Ford said we could do something celebrating KCI’s successes
and then include a line congratulating VanLoh.
Soper was asked about the upcoming election and he said Jim Plunkett and Ron Schieber will run for
Presiding Commissioner. Joan Harms does not intend to run again for County Clerk.