schools

Missouri Republicans say the new armed guards would improve responses to threats, while Democrats warn more guns won't make schools safer

School districts across the Kansas City metro are navigating financial challenges as they cope with fewer students and state funding shortfalls. Plus: Researchers believe that Gen Z may be reaching for a cigarette more often than members of older generations.

School leaders in the Kansas City area are grappling with how to balance their budgets and continue serving students as they face declining enrollment, state funding shortfalls and property tax caps.

For the first time since 2017, the Missouri legislature's annual appropriation for public education will stay the same as the previous year, instead of increasing. The budget could hurt schools' ability to improve teacher recruitment and retention.

A directory of MOScholars students, funding amounts and schools were made publicly accessible by the Missouri Treasurer's office for nearly a year. Democrats want enrollments paused and lawmakers to investigate, while Republicans say the state should fix the breach without disrupting the program.

When Congress ended pandemic-era free lunches for public schools in 2022, student meal debt skyrocketed in Kansas. One Wichita-area 6th grader launched her own fundraiser to tackle students’ lunch tabs at her school district. Plus: "Cow goggles" are allowing farmers to see through bovine eyes, and potentially improve animal welfare.

H-1B visa renewal delays are preventing experienced international teachers from returning to Académie Lafayette, causing emotional and academic ripples at America’s largest French immersion school.

Missouri schools will be required to outline prohibited antisemitic behavior in their codes of conduct. Most opposition came from Democrats who voiced concerns the bill would discourage debate about conflict in the Middle East.

Sixth grader Lizzy Chobad is selling T-shirts as a fundraiser to combat school meal debt in the Valley Center school district. So far, she has raised about $900, with a goal of raising nearly $4,000.

Kansas City Public Schools has started some building projects funded by the $424 million general obligation bond, and is seeking more public input on the details of others. Its plan includes improving every school in the district, and building two new elementaries.

The judge ruled Missouri lawmakers could directly appropriate funds to the MOScholars program because state law does not “expressly prohibit” it. The Missouri National Education Association plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

The Kansas Legislature approved a provision to clamp down on public school protests by requiring students to receive parental permission before participating, and hitting districts with penalties as high as $100,000 per day for failing to enforce restrictions.