Help for schools facing major problems with their buildings has been advanced in the State Senate. Each year, state agencies give back tens of millions of dollars they have not spent during the budget year. Senator Bill Kenney of Lee’s Summit thinks that money should earn interest and the interest should be spent on school construction and renovation. The state has a fund now that is used for construction, but not renovation. Kenney says it’s time for a change. His plan would allow all school districts to have access to the money. But he sets priorities: Schools hit by natural disasters would get first dibs on some of the money. The bill needs second approval in the Senate before it can move to the House.
