http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-875090.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Missouri school district holds the first of a series of public forums tonight for input on future school closures and layoffs. The district would have to close as many as half of its buildings, and lose about one third of its employees to be the same size as other districts with similar enrollment.
Even after about ten schools were closed earlier this year, most of the school district's 60 buildings are still under-utilized. District spokesman Andre Riley says there's no set number of buildings slated to close yet. He says the superintendent wants community input before making any decisions.
"School closures impact everyone," Riley says. "They just don't impact the school district and our students. They impact neighborhoods, they impact businesses, they impact the community at large. So we want to bring everyone to the table and give everyone the chance to tell us what is important about school closures."
Riley says the administration hopes to bring a proposal to the board in February. Only after that, will the district make decisions on personnel.
"Right-Sizing the District" Forums
Dec. 10 - Afrikan-Centered Education Collegium Campus (Upper Campus), 3500 E. Meyer Blvd. (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
Dec. 12 - Garfield Elementary, 436 Prospect Ave. (10 to 11:30 a.m.)
Dec. 14 - Border Star Montessori, 6321 Wornall Road (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
Dec. 15 - Central High School, 3221 Indiana (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
Dec. 17 - Garcia Elementary, 1000 W. 17th St. (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
