Mayor-controlled school district proving to be unpopular option

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - 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.

She says she's not surprised to hear the same thing is happening in Jefferson City.

"I think the traction that it's getting is reflective of the community feeling about it," said Kendrix.

But so far, Kendrix's committee has received just 125 responses about what the community wants.

"Because we have thousands of parents in the district we'd like to make sure that we have a larger base of parents that are providing input," said Kendrix.

She says after years of neglect, Kansas City parents need to take this opportunity for the future of their children.

The DAC wants to at least double its amount of feedback and will hold another series of town hall meetings in the next two weeks, with the hope of having one unified recommendation by February 1.