Education funding

Free school lunch is a life-changing resource for kids in Kansas City. But for many families, potential federal budget cuts threaten to take the vital service away.

In mid-Missouri, many rural school districts rely on Title Ⅰ grants for low-income schools, which are currently distributed through the U.S. Department of Education.

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson urged districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for snow days. He is also proposing half-day summer school for young students who are struggling in reading and math.

The nonprofit says staff and students are still reeling from a federal decision to fire 35 employees at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Republicans and Democrats want to cut Kansas property taxes this year. But they can't decide on the best way to do it — and some worry that core local services like schools, roads and law enforcement could suffer as a result.

Schools in Missouri received millions of dollars in federal pandemic aid to keep students safe and bolster learning. But with the deadline approaching to spend the money, districts now have to decide which new programs and staff they can pay for themselves.

Dean Johnson, who also co-founded Crossroad Charter Schools in Kansas City, said that Quality Schools Coalition was forced to shutter after four years when a top donor declined to renew their funding.

Arts programs are among the first to be trimmed by Missouri school districts, especially after the COVID pandemic. But arts educators are trying to turn the tide in arts education disinvestment.

States had until the end of September to distribute federal rescue funds to school districts to help students struggling with housing get equal access to education. Barring extensions, most states will leave money on the table — including several in the Midwest.

The vote clears the way for school officials to borrow money to replace three schools and add classrooms to a fourth. It was the district's second attempt to pass a bond this year.

The Independence School District transitioned to a four-day week with the hope to attract and retain more teachers. Applications skyrocketed after it made the switch, but a new Missouri law may do away with the shortened schedule.

The campaign behind Missouri Amendment 2, the November ballot measure to legalize sports gambling, claim the resulting revenues will help fund education in the state. But critics say the wording is misleading — and schools won't see any extra benefits.