Comments on: Hodges: NY to close 19 schools

By: Barry Jackson

Barry Jackson — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:15:39 +0000

I’m still conviced that various state legislatures around the country are shoving “School Choice” down the throats of urban school districts,in an effort to take away funding from public school districts.I’m seeing a round about effort so white people can take back urban areas,since the suburbs ain’t working out for them,what with wildfires,animal attacks and the transportation costs of living out in the boondocks,in an effort to get away from us has backfired

By: Sista Sista

Sista Sista — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:38:20 +0000

We got to get back to putting more importance on education. We are doing our children a huge disservice. They will not be ready to assume leadership.

By: KC Dave

KC Dave — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:02:59 +0000

Gotta agree with Marlon. We shouldnt make this a racial matter. White kids go to urban schools too. This is not about color, its about $$$. Every school district is under the gun to cut the budget. Urban schools are easy convenient targets because these schools are losing money. Like Marlon says we need to find out why people dont want to live in the urban core first and fix it.

By: JD

JD — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:55:57 +0000

That’s not simplistic to me. Those schools get money for just existing. If they are not doing what they are supposed to do, then spread that money elsewhere. Don’t look at the number of schools but what’s the impact. How is it impacting the kids and the community? That is the question.

By: Marlon

Marlon — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:46:54 +0000

Some additonal perspective on the history of the KCMO School District can be found in the research project conducted by the CATO Institute: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-298.html

By: Marlon

Marlon — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:43:48 +0000

School funding formulas are based on the assessed valuation of the local property (residential and business) within the boundaries of that district. It is also subsidized by the state on a per-pupil basis. What does this mean? Well, for one it means that instead of assuming the “hillbillies and HNIC’s” have anything to do with the situation the district finds itself in, we should instead explore why previous, current and potential home owners and business owners do not want to live or invest in the community that encomapsses the KCMO District boundaries. If you care, take a look at the residential population of the city (KCMO) and you’ll see a steady decline over the past 20 years. The same trend can be seen in student enrollment in the KCMO School district, yet until now the board administration hasn’t had the courage or politial will to make the tough fiscal decisions required as a result. In business, if your revenues have continually declined, your budget and expenditures must be reduced as well. Public school funding is no different and this is where I think the argument or outrage is misplaced by most people who only consider the effect and not the underlying cause! If the buidling is have empty with less than 15-20 students per class room and you still must pay insurance, utilities and personnel costs for a facilty that has a capacity of 1300 students, why wouldn’t you close the school and consider selling the asset? As a school district, you can’t be responsible for cleaning up the city and making it attractive for investors and potential home owners with children, your job is to simply educate the ones that show up. It is unfortunate that kids will have to be bused to neighboring schools, but that is when as a homeowner you consider what decisions you need to make!

By: PRIME MINISTER

PRIME MINISTER — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:01:27 +0000

hodge im not surprised by the schools being closed. the hillbillies in charge dont believe blacks and mexicans can function without they help anyway. this is all a scam to make people of color remain dependent on them. dont get sidetracked by the HNICs. they hire blacks as TOKENS to spear head the operations to dodge discrimination law suits. this s*** aint over. this is just the calm before the storm

By: cinnabun

cinnabun — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:49:52 +0000

wayne great article! it is sad to see other cities going through what we are going through in KC. I hope closing schools dont become a trend. it might be time to start thinking home school.