@BlogKCOne consequence of the transfer of western Independence and Sugar Creek from KCMO School District to the Independence School District is the need to redraw the lines for subdistricts used to elect school board members. Most of the alternatives are just variations on the current situation – two districts west of Troost for the predominately white neighborhoods and three districts east of Troost for the mostly black neighborhoods.
However, new school board member Airick Leanard West is promoting Option 3 (PDF), the so-called unity map. This map creates subdistricts that span the entire city from east to west. For example, one subdistrict would go from the Westside to 18th and Vine to the Blue River. Another would stretch from Ward Parkway to Brookside to Swope Park.
Could something as mundane as school board boundaries could be a great gesture for bridging the city’s pervasive racial divide? Or at least be a start?
Redrawing the map does not fix our schools.
I saw my property tax jump 20-25% and I still have the same number of un-accredited schools in my city. I see charters providing a better option than the traditional public schools but those schools have waiting lists that exceed the time my kids will be in school.
As history has shown for the last 20 years Kansas City does not know how to provide public education no matter who sits on the school board. Yes there are several instances of outstanding educators within the school district. The district administration from Principles up needs to be cleaned out along with all their staff and they need to re-apply for their jobs.
The racial divide as far as education is concerned is in the mind of the media. East or west Kansas City offers low end education at a premium price.
I am not an advocate for school vouchers. I have seen first hand the surrounding areas provide effective public education to their populace. If funding is truly an issue then the City and the Board of Education needs to provide a plan and a offer the solution to the public.
We care about our kids, we want them educated, and people within the city are paid to overcome these obstacles. Earn your money or go find something else to do.
I really like this idea of breaking the traditional lines that divide our city.
I only fear what problems may arise in the functionality of these ‘unity’ lines: longer bus rides = higher fuel costs, less centralized districts = less community bonding, etc.
For an “urban” school district that is responsible for the education of only 25,000 students, I think the problems are much bigger than funding sources and district lines.
Other areas around may be able to provide effective public education, but they don’t have nearly as big of a problem with poverty as the KC school district has. I’m not talking about staffing and equipping the schools with the necessary tools for learning. The KC school district doesn’t seem to have any apparent problems with that. I’m talking about the hopelessness that poverty breeds; the idea that rather than a key out of poverty, education is perceived by students as an oppressive tool to keep them where they are. Poverty breeds discontent, which disrupts all societal progress.
KC has a poverty problem to solve. The education problem is just a symptom of it.
Regardless of A childs Address …… If you have free time and free skills as seen on the news and would like to help as soon as Ind. takes over. My question is why is K.C children not worthy of your free skills? Why have you not offerd to help before now. If the grass needs mowed and you can do it . Well do it ! Regardless of a childs address should A child have to settle for less of A education. Every child should have A clean safe healthy school to attend REGARDLESS. And who knew the sewer was leaking for three years under A school is A good question ???And why no one did nothing about it ?. See when it comes to K.C children no one cares. why ? because of there address ..Because of there address they have to settle for less .I am moma Hoy to many Van Horn students. And so many have been hurt by this transition. Spliting up all the teams and children. I think any child within any of the schools should be able to continue the school years untill they Gaduate or choose to leave.AND I DO CARE MOMA HOY