KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Members of the Kansas City Public Schools Board got an earful Wednesday night as about two-dozen people showed up to tell them what they’re doing right, and what needs work. The meeting was part of series the district is holding about master planning and it took place at the Southwest Early College Campus on Wornall.
Officials started out by asking parents what they thought the district was doing well. Some said they’re glad to see things like more parent leaders being brought to the decision-making table. One counted an expanded summer school program as a success.
Another person applauded the school for being more focused on student need.
“We want to get a sense so people actually get to cast their vote, if you will, on a variety of different things on what you think is most important, how do you think the district is doing. So it is also feedback on our overall performance,” Superintendent Dr. Stephen Green said
Dr. Green says he wants to hear from every corner of the community so when decisions go before the board in February, the district can be confident in what people want.
Aside from what’s working, parents shared many things they’d like to see improve, or change altogether. That list included a higher focus on athletics, lower student-to-teacher ratios and making sure district students are equipped to compete with suburban schools.
“Y’all hold us accountable for our kids, we want to hold you accountable as a district,” one parent said.
Discussion about the proposed partnership between SWECC, and Acadmie Lafayette was not at the center of the discussion, but it was on some parent’s minds.
“They have plenty of schools that are closed, why can’t they get one of those schools and do their ninth grade center instead of Southwest?” asked Yolanda Golston.
Folks were given a green sheet with directions on how to prioritize and submit their concerns, and things they’d like to see via text message.