The KCMO School District

[cdm2p]

I know it's been considered before but it's never passed. It's time to take a serious look at the idea. Think of how many young families move out of the core once their kids reach school age. It only makes sense to do everything possible to retain young families in Kansas City.

The idea is a case of being careful what you wish for. While some young families may be enticed to stay in the core, others who kids attend private schools probably would not welcome a flood of poor public school kids at their kids private school. I don't know how the system would work, and I would think private schools would be allowed to continue their cirriculum and discipline without interference, but the idea could easily backfire.

There will also be more demand for private schools, so presumably more private schools will open up. I would also guess that places like Pembroke Hill will still continue to be cost prohibitive for most parents - I wouldn't expect vouchers to cover the entire cost of a place like that.

Parrochial schools can provide a quality education at a fraction of the cost of a public school. Some parrochial schools have closed due to lack of enrollment. How crazy is that? We overcrowd a poorly performing system but we suppress the growth of a well functioning system. Only in the hands of extreme left nuts. Sometimes I'm embarrased to call my self a democrat.

[longviewmo]

Separation of church and state: People seem to love it when it works for their particular religion and hate when it works for any other.

[FangKC]

What do parochial school teachers in Kansas City make?

I recall when I lived in Phoenix that the hired (non-priest, non-nun) Catholic school teachers didn't make very much in salary.

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[Pork Chop]

NPR: Saving Kansas City's schools means rescuing a city

As much as I love Mayor James, I think the best solution is to dissolve the district and let nearby school districts absorb the pieces. This may be the quickest way to turnaround, at least for some of the pieces.

[Stockton]

Is there any serious concern that dissolving KCMO schools into surrounding districts would have a negative net effect? Doesn't doing so have the potential of taking surrounding districts - that already have issues - down a notch and creating an even bigger dooughnut hole in our metro? Have any of our political leaders expressed this concern? Has anybody who is a somebody proprosed microdistricts?

By the way, NPR needs to get their facts straight. It isn't true that the entire public school system in KCMO has flunked, as the KCMO district is not the only district.

[Pork Chop]

Is there any serious concern that dissolving KCMO schools into surrounding districts would have a negative net effect? Doesn't doing so have the potential of taking surrounding districts - that already have issues - down a notch and creating an even bigger dooughnut hole in our metro? Have any of our political leaders expressed this concern? Has anybody who is a somebody proprosed microdistricts?

By the way, NPR needs to get their facts straight. It isn't true that the entire public school system in KCMO has flunked, as the KCMO district is not the only district.

So, far it sounds like the 8 schools that were absorbed into Independence are doing better.

[Stockton]

Is there any serious concern that dissolving KCMO schools into surrounding districts would have a negative net effect? Doesn't doing so have the potential of taking surrounding districts - that already have issues - down a notch and creating an even bigger dooughnut hole in our metro? Have any of our political leaders expressed this concern? Has anybody who is a somebody proprosed microdistricts?

By the way, NPR needs to get their facts straight. It isn't true that the entire public school system in KCMO has flunked, as the KCMO district is not the only district.

So, far it sounds like the 8 schools that were absorbed into Independence are doing better.

That's an excellent example, very true. However, Independence really wanted to take kids within their city limits out of the wrath of the KCMO district. Their community wanted it - it wasn't forced upon them. Also, as far as I can tell, those kids in Independence attending KCMO schools weren't the worst off in the district to begin with. If I recall correctly, KCMO fought it and wasn't pleased. Point taken, but I'm not sure it's so simple.

[Pork Chop]

Is there any serious concern that dissolving KCMO schools into surrounding districts would have a negative net effect? Doesn't doing so have the potential of taking surrounding districts - that already have issues - down a notch and creating an even bigger dooughnut hole in our metro? Have any of our political leaders expressed this concern? Has anybody who is a somebody proprosed microdistricts?

By the way, NPR needs to get their facts straight. It isn't true that the entire public school system in KCMO has flunked, as the KCMO district is not the only district.

So, far it sounds like the 8 schools that were absorbed into Independence are doing better.

That's an excellent example, very true. However, Independence really wanted to take kids within their city limits out of the wrath of the KCMO district. Their community wanted it - it wasn't forced upon them. Also, as far as I can tell, those kids in Independence attending KCMO schools weren't the worst off in the district to begin with. If I recall correctly, KCMO fought it and wasn't pleased. Point taken, but I'm not sure it's so simple.

From my understanding, the districts in the surrounding area of KCMO worked with Cunningham on her legislation to break up the district. However, I did also read that they were going manage it under contract or something like that. Anyways, which school districts are close enough to to this? Center, Independence, North Kansas City, Raymore-Peculiar? Are there any others that are candidates? I believe they are all average schools districts.

If the above doesn't work, then I am all for the Mayor taking control of the district. However, I just believe that the quickest way to get at least some portion of the school district up to speed is to go through what Independence did. It could be a lot more manageable in pieces.

[Stockton]

I would think affected districts would only be those touching KCMO, which would rule out Raymore-Peculiar. In addition to those you listed, Raytown borders the KCMO district. Here's a map I found for a quick glance: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwoyPCgSz2M/T ... tricts.gif

[Pork Chop]

I would think affected districts would only be those touching KCMO, which would rule out Raymore-Peculiar. In addition to those you listed, Raytown borders the KCMO district. Here's a map I found for a quick glance: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwoyPCgSz2M/T ... tricts.gif

Thanks for that, I mistaken Raymore with Raytown. It looks like four districts could be involved with this. Is Center the only one that is unstable out of these districts? I know that they almost lost their accreditation as well or at least there was talk of that.

[KCMax]

Is there any serious concern that dissolving KCMO schools into surrounding districts would have a negative net effect? Doesn't doing so have the potential of taking surrounding districts - that already have issues - down a notch and creating an even bigger dooughnut hole in our metro? Have any of our political leaders expressed this concern? Has anybody who is a somebody proprosed microdistricts?

By the way, NPR needs to get their facts straight. It isn't true that the entire public school system in KCMO has flunked, as the KCMO district is not the only district.

It might be better for five districts to all get slightly worse, than to have one district strongly identified with the urban core, being notoriously bad.

[aknowledgeableperson]

What do parochial school teachers in Kansas City make?

I recall when I lived in Phoenix that the hired (non-priest, non-nun) Catholic school teachers didn't make very much in salary.

Not sure of the amount but the pay is usually lower than with public schools and with fewer benefits. But from most of the parochial school teachers I have talked to they teach there (some after teaching in public schools) because of the "values" they can teach or use in the schools.

[longviewmo]

Thanks for that, I mistaken Raymore with Raytown. It looks like four districts could be involved with this. Is Center the only one that is unstable out of these districts? I know that they almost lost their accreditation as well or at least there was talk of that.

Here's how I'd rank the surrounding districts in terms of stability:
1. NKC
2. Independence
3. Raytown
4. Center

NKC is the only neighboring district that really has any potential for growth at all, and that'd be pretty far away from the core of KCMSD. Independence just seems better than two remaining options. Raytown has shrunk quite a bit from its peak, but I think it has actually improved from the condition it was in during the 90's. Center is probably what KCMSD would be like if it was fragmented into smaller districts - a small district geographically, low-mid income economically, and not a whole bunch of kids.

[Pork Chop]

Thanks for that, I mistaken Raymore with Raytown. It looks like four districts could be involved with this. Is Center the only one that is unstable out of these districts? I know that they almost lost their accreditation as well or at least there was talk of that.

Here's how I'd rank the surrounding districts in terms of stability:
1. NKC
2. Independence
3. Raytown
4. Center

NKC is the only neighboring district that really has any potential for growth at all, and that'd be pretty far away from the core of KCMSD. Independence just seems better than two remaining options. Raytown has shrunk quite a bit from its peak, but I think it has actually improved from the condition it was in during the 90's. Center is probably what KCMSD would be like if it was fragmented into smaller districts - a small district geographically, low-mid income economically, and not a whole bunch of kids.

Isn't NKC just north of the river? I thought it would be possible for them to take a portion of the district (along with Independence) that's just south of the river i.e. downtown/east side. Although from the map that Stockton provided NKC seems to be a very large district. How big can these districts get before they are too large?

[KCMax]

Mayor James admits defeat in mayoral plan to take over schools. Bill to allow for replacement of KCMO School District with state-appointed governing body passes MO House, to go to Senate.

[kucer]

Border Star Montessori Principle is on administrative leave..aka gone. Hope they find a great replacement for next year.

[FangKC]

I wonder if this bill to impose a state appointed governing body over the KCMO School District will end up being challenged in federal court, or will face some sort of voter initiative to overturn it?

In essence, wouldn't it deprive school district voters the ability to elect their own school board representatives?

It reminds me of the law that was passed in Michigan to allow the state to appoint "emergency managers" to take over school districts, and financially-troubled cities and towns, that is being challenged by voter referendum.

Michigan has used the Public Act 4 law to appoint emergency managers over the cities of Pontiac and Flint, and could possible use it to do the same in Detroit. Many fear this could lead to a back door assault on collective bargaining rights for firefighters, police, teachers, and city employees, since emergency managers would have the power to over-rule elected officials, throw out union contracts, and slash municipal and school budgets.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents ... A-0004.htm

http://www.legalspeaks.com/2011/06/mich ... hallenged/

http://michiganforward.org/index.php/20 ... higan-law/

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2012 ... NTPAGE%7Cs

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