The KCMO School District

[bahua]

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/19/18 ... velop.html

I'm really interested in if/how they will repurpose some of the schools that are shut down.  Rumors are floating around that a couple of the private parochial schools are looking at the building in our neighborhood.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed, this would be phenomenal!

Lots of charter and privately-run charter schools have suddenly seen their waiting lists grow by orders of magnitude as a direct result of the current happenings in the district, and are taking this opportunity to expand. Expect to see a lot of this in the next few years. Amazingly, this could actually be good for Kansas City.

[jdubwaldo]

That is kind of what I was thinking.  I'm glad at least one other person thinks so as well!

[mlind]

I have read articles about peer pressure among African-American kids.  The ones who have dropped out make fun of those who stay in school.  So these kids get slammed from every direction. 

[FangKC]

Article on man who spurred change in school board elections

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/03/18 ... bored.html

[FangKC]

Yael Abouhalkah's column on why whites should support school board election of progressive candidates

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/8462

[KCMax]

Article on man who spurred change in school board elections

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/03/18 ... bored.html

Airick is a very impressive young man and sure to be a prominent figure in KC politics for the next few decades.

[voltopt]

Remember to vote today!

[KCMax]

Pitch piece on the school board elections. An excellent read.

The rumble is on for Kansas City, Missouri's School Board election

[aknowledgeableperson]

Maybe, just maybe, with the election of the new board members and the support for Covington the district will now be able to start turning around the ship.  And stop listening to Adams.

[DaveKCMO]

amazing to think that such a critical decision point for the city's future was decided by just over 8,000 residents yesterday. i'm proud to have been one of them.

[KCMax]

amazing to think that such a critical decision point for the city's future was decided by just over 8,000 residents yesterday. i'm proud to have been one of them.

This election cracked me up.

[LenexatoKCMO]

amazing to think that such a critical decision point for the city's future was decided by just over 8,000 residents yesterday. i'm proud to have been one of them.

I am amazed that somebody actually thought preserving the status qou would be a winning platform in a KCSD board race.  With as bad a reputation as the district has in the community, if you are going to oppose the current reform movement, I would think you would need to be loudly proclaiming your own alternative, bold reform agenda. 

[DaveKCMO]

This election cracked me up.

those 14 people could have just had a coin toss and saved the county/city some money!

[FangKC]

The ones interested in preserving the status quo were ones interested in preserving a political jobs program based on cronyism and self-interest. The school board is like a political machine.

Most of the past voters in school board elections were probably those whose jobs were at stake.

[KCMax]

The ones interested in preserving the status quo were ones interested in preserving a political jobs program based on cronyism and self-interest. The school board is like a political machine.

Most of the past voters in school board elections were probably those whose jobs were at stake.

From the Pitch:

Relationships between school board members and certain consultants and contractors are far from imaginary. For instance, Simmons works for Dubois Consultants, which is run by Ajamu Webster. Webster is also the president of the board at ACE. In 2008, his company got more than $57,000 in contracts, one of which was for construction work at ACE.

[DaveKCMO]

according to his twitter feed, airick leonard west was elected school board president tonight.

[grovester]

that's great, he claimed he would only do it under unanimous circumstances.

[kucer]

Great news. Really impressed with Mr. West.

[FangKC]

Looks like they are going to "lay off" ALL school principals system-wide despite seniority.  But, they can all "reapply" for their jobs. Looks like a way of getting rid of deadwood without dealing with the seniority issue.

[Jess]

according to his twitter feed, airick leonard west was elected school board president tonight.

Excellent news!