By The Kansas City Star Editorial Board

Independence School District Superintendent Jim Hinson readily acknowledges it’s tough to ask voters to approve a tax increase in turbulent economic times.

But as he notes, many civic leaders, educators and residents supported the district’s plans to place an $85 million school bond issue on the Nov. 3 ballot. And for good reasons.

It’s essential that Independence voters endorse crucial investments in new and upgraded schools, which will attract and keep homeowners and businesses for many years.

The increase of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property value would cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $28.56 a year.

If the bond issue passes, the total Independence tax levy still would be lower than levies in the nearby Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and Raytown districts.

The Independence district has good plans, leading with construction of two elementary schools.

One would be on the growing east side of the district and the other on the district’s west side, which absorbed an influx of more than 2,000 Kansas City School District children in 2008. The new buildings are needed because 11 of the district’s 17 current elementary schools are above capacity.

Other proposed upgrades include:

A new gymnasium and band room at Truman High School.

A new track and renovated science rooms and lockers at William Chrisman High School.

New air conditioning and heating systems, plus a new artificial turf football and soccer field, at Van Horn High School.

Classroom additions at elementary schools including Benton, Luff and Mill Creek.

Technology upgrades at Bingham, Nowlin and Ott elementary schools, plus others.

Voters have received a strong list of crucial upgrades to their public schools. The tax increase deserves support on Nov. 3.