North Kansas City Public Schools

While more teens are getting their financial advice from social media, one group of students are taking charge of a real-life credit union from inside a high school in the North Kansas City School District. And yes, they use real money.

Instead of getting financial advice from social media, students at Winnetonka High School take charge of a real-life credit union. They learn how to manage money, open accounts and make transactions without leaving campus.

Kansas City area school districts are connecting families with food, clothing and other resources after the federal shutdown exacerbated their financial strain.

Kansas City Public Schools and three other districts saw bond issues passed by voters Tuesday, allowing them to fund construction projects and pay for maintenance. Five districts in the Kansas City area also held school board elections.

Missouri will hold municipal elections on April 8. Voters across the Kansas City area will weigh in on issues like investing in public safety, improving infrastructure and electing their school board members. Here's a guide to what's on your ballot, plus what you need to vote.

The bond question in North Kansas City's April 8 election would help build new performing arts centers and two high schools and fund renovations at middle schools. The district says the tax rate would stay the same whether or not voters approve the bond.

Another round of school closures in the Kansas City area has parents juggling work and child care yet again. Some school district are already considering whether to push back summer break.

The winter break is an opportunity for students to catch up with family and celebrate the holidays, but it can also cut off vulnerable kids’ access to resources they usually get at school.

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.

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.