Lee's Summit School District

Climate change-driven weather events are causing more damage and wear and tear to school buildings in Missouri, driving up districts’ property insurance costs.

Kansas City Public Schools invested millions in keeping students cool this year after districts grappled with record-high temperatures last fall.

Students in metro school districts owe thousands more dollars in school lunch debt as families continue to financially recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In some districts, debt is even higher than last year.

The Missouri Attorney General and State Tax Commission are suing Jackson County to toss out more than 190,000 property assessments — and force schools to pay back millions of dollars that they’ve already spent.

Incumbents prevailed in some Missouri school board elections, while other Kansas City-area boards saw shakeups that could shift how they handle book challenges, diversity initiatives, class instruction time and how to best support students.

Six candidates are running for two open spots on the school board. Abundant Life’s lead pastor, Phil Hopper, said in a sermon that it's a chance to bring "two more godly people" on the board of education.

Candidates for two open seats on the Lee's Summit school board talk about the district's finances, cellphone in the classrooms and mental health services for students.

Thirteen is a pivotal age. No longer just because the hormonal and physical changes the body is undergoing, but because in today's digital age, it's the benchmark to legally be allowed to join many social media platforms. Two Kansas City 13-year-olds share their perception of social media.

After decades as music educator in the Lee's Summit School District, Russ Berlin co-founded the Lee's Summit Symphony as an outlet for his former students and other community members to continue musical pursuits. Now the Symphony celebrates 20 years of music making and age-less inspiration.

Under the legislation, Jackson County seniors whose homes are valued less than $550,000 can start applying for relief next year.

Kansas City Public Schools, which does not have central air conditioning in many of its secondary schools, will release all students early for the rest of the week because of safety concerns. Other districts in the area are canceling outdoor sports, moving recess indoors or encouraging staff to wear shorts.

The school districts want to use a new state law to get out of the Missouri standardized testing and accountability system. Several Kansas City-area districts have asked for an exemption from the Missouri Assessment Program, including Lee's Summit, Liberty and Raymore-Peculiar.