Maria Benevento
Education Reporter, Kansas City BeaconMaria Benevento is the education reporter at The Kansas City Beacon. She is a Report for America corps member.
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Current and former employees of the Kansas City charter school said they’re frustrated with the level of response from the board after they raised serious concerns about leadership instability, high staff turnover, potential financial mismanagement and student safety. -
KIPP Kansas City employees say staff turnover and leadership changes have contributed to issues such as incorrect pay, shrinking enrollment and disrupted education. -
About 60% of the teachers, principals, aides and other staff at KIPP Kansas City have left in the last year, describing a chaotic environment with frequent mishaps. Leaders say they're trying to reimagine the charter and not everyone is on board with the changes. -
The Missouri State Board of Education voted to retain provisional accreditation for Hickman Mills School District. It also voted to receive more reporting on lower-performing districts such as Center and Grandview in the Kansas City area. -
Some of the deep geothermal wells from the heating and cooling system at Raytown South High School and the Herndon Career Center allowed methane to accumulate below a parking lot. But repairs are underway, and students returned to class this week. -
Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick criticized the Independence school district for spending money on a lawsuit attempting to overturn a requirement for a public vote on the four-day school week. -
The growth in the number of students learning English is one of several ways the district is becoming more diverse. -
As the U.S. records its highest number of measles cases in decades, one Wyandotte County district draws comfort from its high vaccination rate. Another is working to catch up. -
The tax-free holiday weekend in Missouri, which runs August 1-3, is scheduled during the prime time for back-to-school shopping. But you don’t have to be a student, parent or teacher to benefit from tax-free clothing, computers and more. -
The governor signed legislation about religion in public schools, using cellphones during the school day and protections against discrimination related to hair style or texture.
