Results: November 4, 2025 Special Election
 

A prevailing "Yes" vote means that the ISD Board of Education retains the authority to decide whether to continue operating on a four-day school week for up to ten years before another public vote would be required. In other words, voters have ensured ISD has local control, allowing the school board - elected by the ISD community - to make its own decisions about what's best for students, staff, and families, including what school calendar to follow. The ISD will be on a four-day school week for the 2026-27 school year. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean the ISD is going to maintain a four-day school week for ten years? 
No. This means the ISD Board of Education is in control of deciding the district's calendar, just as it did when electing to move from a five-day school week to a four-day school week starting in the 2022-23 school year. 

Who decided the wording of the ballot question?
Ballot language is dictated by state law and approved by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office. In the case of this election, the ballot language was established through Senate Bill 681. While the ISD Board of Education voted to place the measure on the ballot (to adhere to state law), the actual wording was not written by the district - it is set by state statute.

What is local control?
Local control means decisions are made by those closest to the community - the elected Board of Education - as opposed to state law. It allows ISD Board Members to continue to vote on decisions for the Independence School District.

What will Mondays look like in the ISD in the 2026-27 school year?
The ISD will continue to offer Kids' Safari Full-Day care, tutoring, academic enrichment and other opportunities. District leadership is also always reviewing areas of growth and ways to improve that are best for our students, staff, and families.