Chamber Board Supports Strengthening Regional Talent Pipeline Through USD 259 School Bond Initiative

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted today to support a resolution in favor of the USD 259 school bond issue on the November ballot to strengthen the region’s access to a strong pipeline of educated, skilled and workforce-ready graduates.

This decision followed several weeks of discussions and reviews with business and education leaders, including meetings held with Chamber leadership, the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Government Relations Committee and other Chamber committees. In those forums, conversations were held about the bond proposal, its alignment with the Chamber’s policy priorities, needs the bonds would help address and potential impact on the business community.

“For the Chamber, this is ultimately a talent issue,” said Brecken Morel, Interim President and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Our ability to attract employers and develop the workforce our businesses need is closely connected to the quality of our schools. Supporting the infrastructure where our future workforce learns is an investment in Wichita’s ability to compete.”

The $615 million bond proposal would fund major facility improvements across Wichita Public Schools, including replacing aging schools, preserving existing buildings, expanding career and technical education opportunities and improving infrastructure. The proposal is divided into two ballot questions: $407.1 million that would maintain the current bond tax rate and an additional $207.9 million. Question 1 includes development of the Future Ready Center, while Question 2 includes additional investments in career and technical education. Both directly support efforts to better prepare students for careers and strengthen Wichita’s future workforce. Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is approved. 

The Chamber recognizes this proposal comes with a significant concern for property taxes to the business community. Reducing the property tax burden remains an important policy priority for the Chamber. After considering that concern alongside the long-term needs of Wichita’s workforce and public education system, the Board determined that supporting the bond is in the best interest of our regional economy.

The Board’s support does not change the Chamber’s position on the need for lower property taxes. Rather, it reflects the belief that workforce demands by employers are critical for regional economic growth and that these investments will further enable the school district’s strategy to prepare our future talent pipelines.

“We strongly support efforts to reduce property taxes and remain committed to making Wichita more competitive for businesses,” Morel said. “At the same time, the needs this bond addresses are significant, and delaying them could create greater costs in the future. We believe this is a necessary investment in our schools, workforce and community.”

The Chamber’s role is to consider how major community decisions affect the business environment today and Wichita’s competitiveness in the years ahead. In this case, the Board believes strong schools, a prepared workforce and the ability to attract and retain talent are important enough to warrant supporting the bond while continuing to advocate for a more competitive property tax environment.

We encourage members to learn more about the proposal and participate in the election on November 3.