KCKPS Board Approves 2018-19 Budget
August 16, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Fears, Director of Communications and Marketing, (913) 279-2225
The Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools’ 2018-19 budget on Tuesday, August 14. The approved budget has a General Fund of $160.2 million and the supplemental general fund (Local Option Budget) of $51.3 million. A Local Option Budget is money raised through locally approved taxes to go to a local school district where those taxes are collected.
The board unanimously approved the 2018-19 budget, which will cover all of the school district’s costs for this fiscal year, which began on July 1, 2018 and will end on June 30, 2019. The board also voted not to increase the mill levy for the citizens of the community.
Here are highlights of this year’s budget:
- A 2% raise for District 500 classified staff, including the public library staff. The board also approved aligning and integrating salary schedules, job descriptions and public library policy with the district’s.
- A 5% increase for health insurance costs was also a factor in the budget. The increase to insurance costs will be about $1.5 million
- The addition of 41 social workers to address bettering the lives and conditions of our students. Ten of these positions are being funded by the Mental Health Program Pilot which was part of Kansas Senate Bill 423. The school district will have to prepare for the possibility that the Mental Health Pilot may not be continued in future years. This would mean that the district would need to determine a permanent way of funding 10 social workers and a coordinator positions in the future, approximately $840,000. The $1,890,000 used this year to pay for 31 of the total number of positions is a one-time transfer from the Contingency Fund.
- The addition of the internal management of a substitute program. The board decided not to renew the school district’s contract with Morgan Hunter for substitute services. The contract with Morgan Hunter expired on June 30, 2018.
- The expansion of the Fairfax Learning Center to provide for improved educational opportunities for the students served at the building.
Leadership 2000’s Class of 32 Raises $12,000 for McKinney-Vento Program
August 16, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Fears, Director of Communications and Marketing, (913) 279-2225
The school district’s McKinney-Vento Program has received a lot of support from the community. One effort that has positively impacted the program took place in the spring with the Leadership 2000 Night of Comedy in which $12,000 was raised to help the students and families of the program. Additionally, Class 32 of Leadership 2000 gave hygiene products, clothing and other basic necessities to help the individuals supported by the program.
Leadership 2000 is an organization that identifies, motivates and develops emerging leaders to affect change in the quality of life in Wyandotte County.
McKinney-Vento provides school supplies, uniforms, books, transportation to and from school, hygiene items, cap and gown fees, and connections to community resources and agencies for other basic needs to ensure students and families have what is needed to be successful.
Thank you Class 32 of Leadership 2000 for raising $12,000, as well as for providing the basic necessities to help our students and families thrive and grow. Thank you community for your support, too.
Click McKinney-Vento to learn more about the valuable work of this school district program.
Silver City Elementary Staff Recognized by KMBC 9 News
August 15, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Fears, Director of Communications and Marketing, (913) 279-2225
Silver City Elementary School staff were recognized for all of their hard work by KMBC pilot Johnny Rowlands who delivered hot/cold beverage tumblers to the school at 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15.
During the week of August 13-17, Rowlands is visiting different schools to recognize the efforts of staff and to acknowledge the beginning of the new school year. Today, it was time to recognize Silver City’s staff.
Silver City Principal Dr. Deanne Letourneau had an opportunity to participate in a live interview on KMBC, where she talked about the wonderful opportunities awaiting students this school year.
Congratulations to the staff at Silver City and to all of the employees of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools for what they do each day to help our students be successful.
KCKPS Community Academy Provides Education About the School District
August 15, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Fears, Director of Communications and Marketing, (913) 279-2225
Are you interested in learning about our outstanding students, rigorous curriculum, highly-touted initiatives and the dedicated staff of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS)? The KCKPS Community Academy is for you.
The school district is accepting applications for upcoming afternoon and evening sessions, which will be held:
- Sept. 6 to 25, 2018 on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1 to 4:30 p.m. (six classes)
- Sept. 4 to 27, 2018 on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 6 to 8:30 p.m. (eight classes)
Click here to apply. View more information about the program on the district website: Click KCKPS Community Academy.
KCKPS Community Academy provides insight into how the school district operates, as well as an opportunity to learn about KCKPS programs, including our highly-touted Diploma+ initiative that focuses on graduating our students with a high school diploma plus one of the following seven endorsements:
- Completion of at least one full year of college (18-30 credit hours)
- Completion of an Industry-Recognized Certificate or Credential
- At least 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT
- Completion of the IB Diploma Programme or Career-Related Programme
- Acceptance into the Military
- Completion of a Qualified Internship or Industry-Approved Project
- An Approved Plan for Post-Secondary Transition
The program began as a pilot in spring, 2017. The concept was developed based on community requests for a program about our public schools similar to the citizen academies operated by local law enforcement agencies and departments.
KCKPS Community Academy is open to everyone, including:
- individuals
- church groups
- community organizations
- neighborhood associations
- civic groups
The KCKPS Community Academy is an opportunity you will not want to miss. If you have questions, call Community Engagement Educator Karlean Kramer at 913.627.5616 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kansas City Kansas USD #500 awarded for efforts to make working and breastfeeding easier for employees
August 4, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brenda Bandy, (785) 477-4666
Kansas City Kansas USD #500 has received the Gold Level “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and its Business Case for Breastfeeding program.
The award is based on proven and established standards to benefit employers and employees. It recognizes businesses that provide support services to their breastfeeding employees, to include education as well as the time and space for employees to nurse and/or pump breastmilk at their workplace. The award, the top ranking of three sponsored by the Coalition, was presented by Brenda Bandy, Executive Director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.
According to Bandy, Kansas City Kansas USD #500 received the award for achieving a high level of support to their employees as outlined in the Coalition’s criteria. She said they provide a “gold level” pumping room, allow flexible time to pump, and have a written policy of breastfeeding support.
Pointing out that many breastfeeding mothers abandon breastfeeding when they return to work because they lack the support and appropriate facilities at their place of employment, Bandy said, “We want to help change that unfortunate situation”. She cited research showing that adequate support for breastfeeding employees benefits businesses through savings in health care expenses, reduced turnover rates, lower absenteeism, and increased employee loyalty. Employers that have established support services for breastfeeding employees have reported a $3 for $1 return on investment plus realizing a more productive working environment.
"Many Kansas employers recognize the benefits of supporting their breastfeeding employees. We want to shine the spotlight on as many employers as we can for doing their part to make returning to work while breastfeeding easier in hopes that will encourage more businesses to follow suit," said Bandy.
Businesses that provide support services for their breastfeeding employees can be considered for a “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” at the bronze, silver and gold levels. Applications are available at http://www.kansasbusinesscase.com/for_employers/employer_awards .
The Business Case for Breastfeeding is a program to assist employers in developing or enhancing support services for their breastfeeding employees. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit 501(c) 3 with the mission of working collaboratively to promote and protect breastfeeding in order to improve the health of Kansas families.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Brenda Bandy at (785) 477-4666 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
