KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Public Schools will ask voters to approve a $474 million general obligation bond on April 8. It would fund projects for KCPS schools and nine partnering charter schools.  Fake 911 calls made before thousands stolen from KCK bank in January: affidavit KCPS is the only school district in the region without bond funding. If the measure is approved on April 8, it will be the first in nearly 60 years.  School district leaders say it would fund critical repairs and improvements to over 40 schools.  “Our students just got new furniture this past summer. They were sitting in the exact same desks and chairs that I sat in, and I graduated 25 years ago,” said Lincoln Prep Academy Principal Shanelle Smith. “So even the low-hanging fruit that this bond could provide for our students, such as desks and chairs, is pretty major.” Lincoln Prep is one of the schools that would benefit from the $474 million GO Bond.  “Lincoln has managed to sustain its success and student achievement despite the lack of resources and access to state-of-the-art facilities, which these students definitely deserve,” Smith explained.  The proposed bond would fund renovations to classrooms, athletic facilities and bathrooms. Smith said Lincoln’s aging facility is in serious need of infrastructure updates.  “Our Wi-Fi is questionable at best, not because we can't access it per se, but because we're dealing with concrete walls. We're in a really old building. The electrical infrastructure needs a major overhaul. So for students to be able to study and excel regardless of those things, I mean, I could brag on Lincoln (students) all day if we're being honest,” Smith explained.  Even though students have excelled despite outdated resources, Smith says that doesn't mean there isn't a need to upgrade.  KC2026: Expect to take a bus to a World Cup match “These students are excelling in athletics, robotics, debate, music and they don't have the (resources) to do that. So I just think about how much more successful my babies would be if they had access to the things other students around them have,” Smith said.  If approved, the bond would fund the construction of new facilities, updated infrastructure and enhanced safety measures, among other projects.  ...read more read less