FORMER KANSAS CITY STUDENTS SOUND OFF ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. By Christina Medina

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Another debate over the future of Kansas City Public Schools pulled in a large crowd Tuesday night. It was a different debate on the University of Missouri – Kansas City campus than any before because it’s the first time former Kansas City students got the chance to talk about what they think will get the district back in track.

There were direct questions and passionate answers from three students who graduated from Kansas City schools. Three members of Debate KC argued about what’s best for the hundreds of students enrolled in Kansas City Public Schools.

Marcus Leach, a Central High School alumnus, is currently getting a masters after graduating from Howard Law School. He argued to keep a community board in place.

“We have been researching this since we have been students in the district. A lot of the failures that we see are a result of larger social economic issues that I believe have not been addressed,” explained Leach.

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MAYOR-CONTROLLED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROVING TO BE UNPOPULAR. By Zach Tecklenburg

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NBC Action News) – When it comes to the future of Kansas City’s schools, Rep. Myron Neth says there’s one common message. “The community more than anything, wants accountability,” said Neth. Thursday, the Liberty lawmaker introduced his bill to the Missouri Legislature, supporting mayoral control of KCPS. “I think our goal in getting it introduced, was to say, we’re thinking about this. This is serious,” said Neth.

Neth concedes, it’s proving to be a tough sell to fellow lawmakers. “I think a lot of people are really sitting on the sidelines, seeing where things are going,” said Neth. He says waiting for the state board of education to enforce a plan in two years is an option, but not a good one. So now is the time to act.

“We’ve heard a call for drastic change,” said Neth. The District Advisory Committee agrees on moving fast. “We want to play offense and not defense,” said DAC at-large representative Jamekia Kendrix. The committee recently held a series of meetings, garnering input on the future structure of KCPS. Kendrix says, so far one thing is clear.

“There isn’t a lot of support for a mayoral-appointed board,” said Kendrix.

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KANSAS CITY STUDENTS STUCK IN LIMBO AS COURT HEARING DELAYED. By Wayne Hodges

KANSAS CITY, Mo – Okay, it may be time for a federal intervention as it pertains to the beleaguered Kansas City Missouri School District. That’s because students seeking transfers from the unaccredited jurisdiction are stuck in limbo while the quandary known as the legal system continues to manipulate their academic future.

The five districts that are suing Kansas City asked for and received a delay on the hearing because, according to the quintet, the extra time allotted will provide Kansas City administrators ample opportunity to revise their transfer policy.

Look, the Fab Five ain’t budging. Their ‘No Pay, No Play’ policy mandates full tuition be settled up front before a student can even dream about a transfer. Nothing less will suffice. Conversely, Kansas City’s frugal policy states that only a portion of the tuition will be paid until the state advises further.

Can’t blame KC.

After all, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude a student exodus of this magnitude would inflict a devastating financial consequence upon the district. We’re talking thousands of pupils at roughly $10,000 per head. Also, Kansas City will only outlay cash for students who have been enrolled in the district at least two semesters. Everyone else is pretty much SOL.

The hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday, was continued to Feb. 10. Now students and parents have no choice but to wait it out as the 2011-2012 school year approaches conclusion. Kansas City schools lost their accreditation on Jan 1st. At this rate, it may be wise for parents and students to concede rejection and begin preparations for the upcoming Fall semester.

By the time a hearing transpires and a decision is rendered, it may be too late to salvage what has dissolved into an academic nightmare of epic proportions for our city’s youth.

Will the Kansas City district modify its thrifty policy on student transfers?

Don’t hold your breath.

District spokesman Eileen Houston-Stewart said no scholastic changes are imminent. Even if the court were to grant a ruling in favor of student transfers, the Fab Five could easily muster a countervailing response built on the strong premise that the transfer law harbors an unfunded mandate to provide increased services.

Right now, it’s all about the Benjamins baby. Nobody gives a damn about the kids. Pretty sad.

Wayne Hodges II, an MBA from St. Mary , is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He’s also a business columnist for Madame Noire, he’s a contributor to YourBlackWorld.com, and he’s a film critic with America’s ILoveBlackMovies.com. Email Wayne Deuce anytime at whodges@massappealnews.com

AS CUSTOMARY, KANSAS CITY STUDENTS GET KICKED TO THE CURB. By Wayne Hodges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Tuesday, a throng of Kansas City students returned from the holiday break – their parents anxious to convey them to one of the six area accredited school districts. However, when mom and dad called the aforementioned jurisdictions seeking an expedited transfer, they were given a resounding “no!”

“We are not accepting kids today,” said Independence superintendent Dr. Jim Hinson. Huh? “Not accepting kids?” Didn’t the court rule in favor of KC students over the holiday break? So, what’s with the cold shoulder?

Six suburban districts, Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Center and North Kansas City, have begged a judge to immobilize all transfers until lawmakers decide what to do with the now unaccredited district.

Hinson said that it’s not a matter of not wanting the kids. The refusal, nevertheless, has everything to do with the Kansas City Public Schools’ frivolous decision to pay only a fraction of tuition costs. That’s right. It’s all about the Benjamins baby. Kansas City is offering to pay a thrifty $3,700 per pupil. However, Independence requires $9,800 per child up front. The Center School District mandates $14,000.

“Since Kansas City has said we’re not paying that amount of money, and not in advance, then therefore we will rely on our own policy and say: ‘No, you can’t attend school at this point in time,’” said Hinson.

We can certainly understand Dr. Hinson’s argument. After all, if there’s one thing we’ve come to learn as American citizens is that there’s no romance without finance.

Don’t believe me.

Ask Kobe.

That said, given the dire scholastic conditions that exist here, I say, ‘what the hell, allow the transfers.’ In a country where a nincompoop like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel can make $60 million dollars playing football, I’m quite sure there are provisions and subsidies in place to aid the six area districts while lawyers and legislators fight it out over who pays what.

Dr. Hinson, on Jan. 1, the Kansas City School District lost its accreditation. If your child was inflicted with such an onerous circumstance, would you want a capable, neighboring school district to shut him or her out?

Sir,  a vast majority of Kansas City students receive free or reduced lunch. Meaning? They don’t have any damn money. Come on Dr. Hinson? This is America. For once, let’s put the kids first. Please save the political shenanigans for later.

Jiminy Christmas!

A few measly dollars is a small price to pay for rescuing a generation of drowning students. Dr. Bob Bartman, superintendent of Center Schools, echoed a similar sentiment. “(A good education) is the only way out for them. If we fail them here, we’ve convicted another generation of kids to poverty,” said Bartman, who has run Center Schools for eight years.

And the congregation said: “AMEN!”

Center, which has just as many impoverished students as the Kansas City District, was one of the few urban cliques that achieved proficiency in 13 of the 14 state education requirements. Hopefully, this good karma rubs off on the legion of KC students seeking immediate variation.

That is, if they’re ever allowed to transfer.

OFFICERS IDENTIFY SLAIN KCK MAN: Today, Kansas City, Kan., police officers identified Barry E. Miller as the person shot by a cop on New Year’s Day. After a police officer responded to the scene to conduct a pedestrian check on a suspicious person, the 45-year-old Miller and the aforementioned cop reportedly got into a tussle around 3 a.m. The officer pulled his weapon and fired, killing Miller in the process. The incident occurred in the 4000 block of North 55th Street in Kansas City, Kan. The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as a business columnist with MadameNoire.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a movie critic and journalist with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com

JUDGE DENIES AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ MOTION TO BLOCK TRANSFERS. By Wayne Hodges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City students are free to transfer. Not sure who’s gonna cover tuition fees and transportation costs. But, students are now at liberty to seek variation. On Friday, a Jackson County court ruled against the six area school districts’ motion for a temporary restraining order against Kansas City Public Schools to keep students from transferring.

The six districts consist of Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Independence, Raytown and Center. The favorable court ruling has opened a corridor for Kansas City students to convey into other accredited districts, an exodus that renders the Kansas City school district completely responsible for paying their tuition and transportation costs.

Of course, details of the transfer agreement remain ambiguous. For instance, how will students be bussed? What company will provide transportation? And how will such transportation be paid for? Then there’s the intricate issue of tuition.

The aforementioned area districts have a mandate in place that requires tuition fees be paid up front, before students report to class. However, the Kansas City District doesn’t appear interested in paying full price. They are only willing to pay $3,700 per student – which is merely a fraction of actual tuition costs.

Given the fact 1,600 students have already requested transfers, the Kansas City district faces a huge financial obligation to begin the new year.

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as a business columnist with MadameNoire.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a movie critic and journalist with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com

PARENT BELIEVES KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD HAS FAILED STUDENTS. By Wayne Hodges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As the January 1 loss of accreditation deadline approaches, parents are making their case for either a mayoral or state takeover of the beleaguered Kansas City Missouri School District. “The board as a whole has failed,” said parent Dana Cutler, who believes the school board has made decisions based on political agendas and not what’s best for the students.

Cutler’s child has been in the district for the last 15 years. Over the course of time, she has watched the district dissolve from bad to worse, and that’s just from an academic viewpoint. She didn’t mention student-athletes getting shot at on a school bus, assault and battery on teachers and random acts of arson at Southwest Early College Campus.

“Lower MAP scores, poor results at end of course for high school students, lower graduation rates and ultimately the loss of accreditation,” said Cutler in venting her mounting frustration.

Hell, Cutler is no creampuff. She’s been an attorney in Kansas City for 22 years, including the last 10 years as an education lawyer. So her opinion certainly has merit. “20 percent of the kids in the Kansas City area go to a school that I represent,” said Cutler who’s currently representing the African Centered Education Campus in a lawsuit that has something to do with a change in funding.

“The process that’s in place for the legislators to try and fashion a remedy, to allow Nicastro and the commission to do what needs to be done, is very wise.”

School board members admit some decisions were erroneous. However, eliminating the entire board wouldn’t be their first choice. Instead, Board member Crispin Rea believes citizens should be allowed to vote for the people they want leading the district.

Board president Airick Leonard West echoed a similar sentiment. To bring about positive academic performance, West says it’s imperative to abstain from dissolving the district at all costs. Should the board stay together? Should the state or mayor take over? What’s your opinion?

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as a business columnist with MadameNoire.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a movie critic and journalist with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com

FIVE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FILED LAWSUIT OVER TRANSFER POLICY. By Wayne Hodges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Friday, five area school districts have filed a court petition with the hope of voiding the Kansas City Public Schools’ student transfer policy. Neighboring districts Blue Springs, Independence, Lee’s Summit, North Kansas City and Raytown are seeking an injunction against any student transfers.

The five districts are at odds with the Kansas City District over costs. They asked the judge to make a decision before students return from winter break. It’s quite possible students wanting a transfer may have to wait until next year. The Kansas City School District loses its accreditation on Jan. 1.

“There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved and finalized for these transfers to take place,” said Superintendent Jim Hinson of Independence.

“We’re not worried about the kids. The kids suffer in this process. However, we have a situation where the courts are involved, the legislature is involved and politicians are involved. It’s not about whether we want students. We want a common-sense approach so all of these issues can be worked out.”

The five suburban districts say state law requires an unaccredited district, like Kansas City Public Schools, to come out the pocket for tuition and transportation costs of each student seeking a transfer. State law allows students to leave an unaccredited jurisdiction for accredited neighboring districts.

Some Missouri lawmakers are already devising a plan that would divide the KCPS school district up and divvy it out to the aforementioned five suburban districts.

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as a business columnist with MadameNoire.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a movie critic and journalist with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com