The KCMO School District

[Stockton]

It wasn't a problem for me when I was in school.

I suppose it doesn't matter. The kids can meet on the street just as easy. When I saw the Star article that said most of the high schools will serve 7th thru 12th graders, especially considering the troubled urban context, my thought was more pregnant 12 and 13 year olds. Is the inclusion of 7th and 8th graders in high schools not new to KCMO?

[GRID]

Good lord this is ALL OVER THE NATIONAL NEWS, on every local station around here, radio etc.  This is making KC look REAL bad.

[KCMax]

Good lord this is ALL OVER THE NATIONAL NEWS, on every local station around here, radio etc.  This is making KC look REAL bad.

How is it making us look bad? Schools are cutting budgets and consolidating all over the country.

I know you mean well GRID, but its getting tiring having a guy who moved away from KC post on here all the time about how much we suck.

[GRID]

How is it making us look bad? Schools are cutting budgets and consolidating all over the country.

I know you mean well GRID, but its getting tiring having a guy who moved away from KC post on here all the time about how much we suck.

Huh?  What people are hearing is a city is closing half its schools.  That's not really the case because there are more schools in KC than the KCMOSD, but that's what they hear and it's great for news headlines because it sounds so much worse than most other schools cutting back.  Just like how the KCMO SD gives the entire city of KCMO a bad image, this does too.  I have already received a few emails from people out here that know I'm from KC asking what's up in KC?  Closing half their schools?

My posts are no different then they were when I lived there.  What are you talking about?  The fact that I continue to post about the city not being able to build a transit system or taking 18 years to build a convention hotel?

Please elaborate.  Thanks...

[chrizow]

i read a KC school closings article on the SF Chronicle site, and half the comments were along the lines of "well, you know, this is what happens when youre a bunch of conservative bible beaters who don't teach evolution!" etc.   point being:  people reading the NY Times or WashPost, etc., don't know about KC, and don't give a shit about KC.  

troubled inner-city public schools are the norm in every large city in america.  if anything, i would think people would applaud that KCMO is trying to do something about it.  what's worse - spending tens of millions propping up 1/2-empty buildings all over the city, or consolidating in an attempt to better serve the students?  my only beef with this coverage is that the articles do not mention that KCMO has a robust charter school system, with more students enrolled in charters (as a % of total population) than any city in the US other than DC and new orleans (and it's close).  

[aknowledgeableperson]

Good point, GRID, about the impression.  Have some questions though.  KCMOSD has a separate elected board from city government.  But don't many of the older cities have school boards appointed by the mayor and/or council?  And those cities have just one school district within their limits?  How are the school districts organized in your area?

[GRID]

Good point, GRID, about the impression.  Have some questions though.  KCMOSD has a separate elected board from city government.  But don't many of the older cities have school boards appointed by the mayor and/or council?  And those cities have just one school district within their limits?  How are the school districts organized in your area?

There are only a few "city" districts.  DC, Baltimore and Fairfax I believe.  Most are run by the states or very closely monitored by the state and split up by county which makes them very large and diverse districts.

It would be like if KCMOSD was still the way it is, but Jackson County having it's own district, so Raytown, LS, BS, Grandview etc all one district.  Johnson County would be one district.  Clay would be one district etc.

I have not been here long enough to figure out how they are run (elected officials etc), but I can tell you that Maryland and Virginia are heavily involved, where it seems like MO is much more passive.

Speaking of images though.  Everybody out here imagines bible thumpers when you mention Kansas City schools.  That KS evolution thing did a lot of damage to KC's image.  I know.  None of you care and I'm not even sure it really matters, but just saying...

[KCMax]

Huh?  What people are hearing is a city is closing half its schools.  That's not really the case because there are more schools in KC than the KCMOSD, but that's what they hear and it's great for news headlines because it sounds so much worse than most other schools cutting back.  Just like how the KCMO SD gives the entire city of KCMO a bad image, this does too.  I have already received a few emails from people out here that know I'm from KC asking what's up in KC?  Closing half their schools?

My posts are no different then they were when I lived there.  What are you talking about?  The fact that I continue to post about the city not being able to build a transit system or taking 18 years to build a convention hotel?

Please elaborate.  Thanks...

So what are we supposed to do? Keep empty schools open so that people won't have a bad image about KC? These consolidations are LONG overdue. And its not like the KCMO school district had a sterling image around the nation before this. Google the district and I'm sure "million dollar desegregation case" is one of the first things that pops up.

I don't mean to pick on you, it just seems like you have been overly negative about KC since you moved away. A great majority of your posts seem to be about how much we suck. Our airport is shitty. We can't build a convention hotel. We don't have a transit system. We wear KU gear to sporting events. We can't get our act together.

I know you love Kansas City, but perhaps you should resign yourself to the fact it is not what you want, and embrace your new community?

[aknowledgeableperson]

Another take:

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/8073

The worst possible news for KC School District supporters Wednesday night would have been for the board to have rejected Superintendent John Covington's needed school-closing plan.

Fortunately, that didn't happen. But the next worst thing did: The school board barely endorsed the proposal on a 5-4 vote.
...
First, that almost anything that upsets one of the five "yes" votes could turn into a nasty surprise for Covington in the future, which could include pulling the plug on parts of his plan or trying to oust him.

Second, that the April school board elections will be extremely important. Civic leaders and voters better rally around candidates who will support Covington and make sure his plan is allowed to move forward.

[GRID]

So what are we supposed to do? Keep empty schools open so that people won't have a bad image about KC? These consolidations are LONG overdue. And its not like the KCMO school district had a sterling image around the nation before this. Google the district and I'm sure "million dollar desegregation case" is one of the first things that pops up.

I don't mean to pick on you, it just seems like you have been overly negative about KC since you moved away. A great majority of your posts seem to be about how much we suck. Our airport is shitty. We can't build a convention hotel. We don't have a transit system. We wear KU gear to sporting events. We can't get our act together.

I know you love Kansas City, but perhaps you should resign yourself to the fact it is not what you want, and embrace your new community?

No, if you go back and look you will see that I have been saying that the KCMOSD should close schools, move out it's oversized HQ building and lay off staff for years.  I have always said the district still acts like it's still a big city school district with 75,000 students and very high paid super intendants.  This is long overdue.

My point is that is not what people are comprehending.  I'm not saying the schools should stay open or anything should be done to give KC a better image, I'm simply saying that this is not good for the image of KC.  Nothing more, nothing less.

And I hated KCI when I lived there and hate it today.  I hate the fact that Omaha will have light rail before KCMO.  Nothing has changed there.  Nothing has changed period.

There is less going on in KC, so I guess you don't hear as much from me.  I did just go back and look at and recently posted how Charlotte sucks compared to KC and how impressive the PAC is though.

And yea, the KU clothing thing.   Still looking for all these Maryland and VT fans that are supposed to be just like KU fans.  Must be hiding out .  I'm sure you can find them.  On campus or at a "college" sporting event .

KC doesn't suck, it has many issues, but it's still one of the better cities.  Very few people know it though and the KCMOSD is just one more thing for the long list of the wrong things people think of when they think KC.  It is what it is...

[UMKCroo]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1438048470&play=1

Funkhouser on CNBC today discussing the school closings.  Ummm ok, dont really see how he is especially relevant to the discussion.  As he says in the interview, "I run the city, not the school district."  But, wouldn't it be cool to have a mayor who actively worked with the superintendent and school board to come up with a "plan," as opposed to his incredibly left-field and unproven "schools first program."  This guy continues to baffle me! 

For the record I strongly endorse Covington's plan. 

[Midtownkid]

Speaking of images though.  Everybody out here imagines bible thumpers when you mention Kansas City schools.  That KS evolution thing did a lot of damage to KC's image.  I know.  None of you care and I'm not even sure it really matters, but just saying...

Thats funny, because when they mentioned this story on CNN yesterday they said "And an extreme measure being taken in Kansas schools...story after the break"

I immediately thought of some sort of bible humping anti-evolution story.

Then the news came on and they said it correctly, "Schools in Kansas City, Missouri."

I hate how people shorten Kansas City to Kansas.  I guess the same is done for New York City...but at least the name New York still reflects the state it is in!

[kcjak]

What's scariest for me is seeing the school story on the home pages of usatoday.com and cnn.com - complete with a photo of that creepy, old, long-haired school board dude.

[GRID]

Here are some quotes from the CNN story.  It might wake up some of you that think what Kansas does doesn't effect KCMO.  Seems like most people are blaming Obama, blaming the economy or just making fun of Kansas.  There are some that understand the fact that the KCMOSD is to blame, not the economy and some understand that a district that is much smaller than it once was probably should have less schools and staff than it once did.

Kansas a republican state. NO TAXES, NO SOCIALIST SCHOOLS AND SERVICES

Isn't Kansas the state that is trying to teach evolution is a theory and Creationism is a reality? And isn't it the same state where Fred Phelps' Whacky Westboro Wonderland is located? Something is really screwed up in Kansas, Dorthy.

They don't need schools in Kansas they have the bible!

good, close them all in Kansas. Morons wanna teach creationism in those schools anyway, hopeless fools.

These are the first people to demand no taxation, minimum wages, and creationism. What they get in return is no one moving into the area because they want a better future for their kids. The Kansas dream of a single school house teaching the 3-R's and the Bible is coming closer to reality -Little House On The Prairie The Sequel.

Don't worry, It's Kansas, God will educated their kids

I think God is punishing Kansas for Westboro Baptist Church

Isn't Kansans the state that was behind teaching Intelligent Design instead of (or in addition to) teaching evolution?

Perhaps education is not needed in Kansas - all they have to do is read the Bible.
On the other hand, it's an indication that real education is lacking in Kansas. Closing redundant schools may actually be helpful

Well, of couse their enrollment is dropping... what responsible parent wants to send their kids to a school system that has become infamous for ignorance and superstition?

When you think of the term "Kansas City School Board", what the first thing that comes to mind? (Hint- think nutjobs who think their personal beliefs somehow trump science and should be forced on everyone...)

Who in their right mind wants their kid to have a high school diploma that will be actually be held against them in 95% of the rest of the country?

[WSPanic]

Here are some quotes from the CNN story.  It might wake up some of you that think what Kansas does doesn't effect KCMO.  Seems like most people are blaming Obama, blaming the economy or just making fun of Kansas.  There are some that understand the fact that the KCMOSD is to blame, not the economy and some understand that a district that is much smaller than it once was probably should have less schools and staff than it once did.

You'll find worse, less informed comments in the KC Star comments area.

Now, please define the "effect" that's so damaging. Otherwise, who cares what stupid people think? Sure as shit doesn't seem to be having any negative effect on the schools that are actually in KS.

[GRID]

You'll find worse, less informed comments in the KC Star comments area.

Now, please define the "effect" that's so damaging. Otherwise, who cares what stupid people think? Sure as shit doesn't seem to be having any negative effect on the schools that are actually in KS.

Just pointing it out, don't know how it effects KC or KS really.  The comments are sort of entertaining though.

[chingon]

Oh durn. Them big city people making fun of us agin, using they fancy book lernings to embarass us spooky bumpkins. Guess we should of gone to they schools and learnt things right...like U.S. geography.

Jesus H., man, who cares about the CNN comments section. It's the internet.  

These snobs have been searching for a new sambo to make fun of for about a generation now, and since they know they can't pin their self worth on making fun of brown people anymore, they found some white primitives to degrade and look down they're noses at. They're ignorance and sad self-doubt shines through in everything they say.

[KCMax]

Just pointing it out, don't know how it effects KC or KS really.  The comments are sort of entertaining though.

So what? What is your solution?

[slimwhitman]

Huh?  What people are hearing is a city is closing half its schools.  That's not really the case because there are more schools in KC than the KCMOSD, but that's what they hear and it's great for news headlines because it sounds so much worse than most other schools cutting back.  Just like how the KCMO SD gives the entire city of KCMO a bad image, this does too.  I have already received a few emails from people out here that know I'm from KC asking what's up in KC?  Closing half their schools?

This misunderstanding is also a metro concern.  Over the years, MANY....I mean TONS or friends have commented that "the city keeps screwing up the school district".  They "would never live in KCMO because the schools are so bad".  Huh?  Many assume that the school district is run by the city and the KCMOSD boundaries follow the KCMO city limits.  I knew many people that were looking for homes in the Northland and avoided any house with a KCMO address "because the schools were so bad".  One even moved from their Northland KCMO house to a Liberty,MO house so their kids could have a good education.  Turned out the old house was already located in the Liberty School District.

People are stupid. 

The only way to fix this PR nightmare for KCMO (the city) is to change the name of the KCMOSD to something else that gives it its own identity (like Hickman Mills SD, Center SD, Shawnee Mission SD).  Well, the other fix is to make the District a quality program that has a quality reputation, but I know that is impossible.

[kcmetro]

I can't believe how many dumb-ass people there are in this world.  All those comments on cnn about KS.  Wow.