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Here’s how Kansas City, Kansas, schools design their budget and how you can weigh in
The KCKPS school board is intensifying its work on the 2022-23 budget as summer approaches. But dealing with the budget is a year-round process that involves the state of Kansas, the federal government and input from the public.

‘We need to get it together’: Park Hill school board election reinforces focus on diversity, access
“Current events in society and in our nation and in our community have definitely proven to us that we have greater work to do,” said Terri Deayon, the district’s director of access, inclusion and family engagement. “But it’s been encouraging to see our work and the things that we’ve been doing this year begin to…

Lawmakers want to expand eligibility for free community college in Kansas
While 663 students received the Kansas Promise Scholarship during the first semester of the new program, according to an early 2022 report to the Kansas Legislature, nearly 75% of those who applied didn’t receive an award.

William Jewell has two groups doing slavery research. Some say that’s a problem
In front of a large audience at the college’s April 22 Duke Colloquium, history professor Christopher Wilkins said members of the Slavery, Memory and Justice project — which also includes alumni — had hoped the college would endorse their work, amplify it and follow their suggestions on “best practices.”

College. Work. Starting a business. KC grads with disabilities have options
Kim Riley, founder of the Transition Academy, said it’s not unusual for people with disabilities and their families to be confused about choices after high school. The nonprofit connects people with services for a variety of situations that could affect access to jobs and school, including physical disabilities, neurodivergence and intellectual disabilities.

This KC program uses mentorship to improve kids’ reading skills and love for books
“I try to make reading fun, and try to instill the passion for reading in the students that I work with,” said Mark Myers, who originally learned about Lead to Read at work and has been a mentor for several years. “But I get so much perspective from them and a real joy from working…

Meet the Kansas City-area school board election winners, see their priorities
In the seven major districts we’ve been tracking, six incumbents kept their seats, including a North Kansas City board member who’s been serving since 1995.

Liberty school board candidates say they want to listen. Which voices will they prioritize?
The four non-incumbent candidates have different ideas on strategies for listening to, prioritizing and elevating the community’s concerns.

Unrecorded meetings. Public comment rules. Is the Independence school board transparent? Some candidates say no.
As five candidates compete for two spots on the Independence school board in the April 5 election, transparency has become a key issue for two newcomers: Anthony Mondaine and Jason Vollmecke.

School board candidates for Raytown and Blue Springs discuss their priorities
In the race to serve on the Blue Springs district school board, four candidates — including two incumbents — are competing for two slots, each serving a three-year term.

Meet the North Kansas City school board candidates for the April 5 election
We have been publishing similar candidate questionnaires for other major Kansas City-area school districts with upcoming elections, including from Independence, Lee’s Summit, Liberty and Park Hill.

Five questions with Park Hill school board candidates for the April 5 election
We have been publishing similar candidate questionnaires for other major Kansas City-area school districts with upcoming elections, including from Independence, Lee’s Summit and Liberty.

Meet the Lee’s Summit school board candidates for the April 5 election
head of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district’s and school board’s strengths and weaknesses.

Who are the Liberty school board candidates for the April 5 election?
Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district’s and school board’s strengths and weaknesses, and why they’re the right person to help their district improve.

Five questions with Independence school board candidates for the April 5 election
Ahead of the April 5 election, The Kansas City Beacon sent five questions to each candidate about the district and school board’s strengths and weaknesses, and why they’re the right person to help them improve.

Kansas City charter schools see a shift in who holds them accountable
The Missouri Charter Public School Commission, Kansas City Public Schools and Saint Louis University are each stepping in to sponsor multiple schools that were formerly sponsored by the University of Central Missouri.
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