By Steve Bell, Dan Verbeck
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-995681.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. –
Schools Takeover
A forum of educators, politicians and parents drawn together by Kansas City's mayor to prevent a state takeover of the city's schools recommends that the mayor's office take them over.
"Criminal" is the word Missouri House Minority Leader Mike Tallboy uses to describe sitting back and allow a takeover of the soon to be unaccredited Kansas City District. Tallboy is one of members of this forum put together by Mayor Sly James. The group is bipartisan and Tallboy says that will make it viable in the state Capital. The group looked at seven options for running the schools, concluding a district governed by mayoral leadership is the best.
Panel member Jamekia Kendrix also said available data indicates that mayoral takeovers generally are more effective than state takeovers when districts are struggling to regain accreditation.
Among steps suggested to the state Education Commissioner, delay pulling accreditation to July 1st rather than January. And hold that academic achievement,test scores is most important in all actions.
Midwest Economy
The monthly Mid-America Business Conditions survey is out, and it predicts economic growth, but slow growth in the 9-state area. The survey comes from Creighton University in Omaha, where economist Ernie Goss says the Midwest is being affected by larger, national economic trends. The economic outlook numbers rebounded in November, after taking a dip into negative territory in October.