KCPS looks past budget cuts to work with community & offer students help

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Public Schools’ budget continues to face deep cuts.

“We've been cut, cut, and cut. As a result of those cuts, we need to put our thinking caps on,” explained Dr. Luis Cordoba, executive director of the Office of Student Intervention Programs.

The district is constantly trying to find ways to save money, while still providing students and families the help they need.

“We're in the business of educating our kids, not providing mental health services, not providing case management services, not providing crisis intervention, not providing all these services that affect learning,” Cordoba said.

The district used to contract out services, such as mental health and behavior assistance, tutors and homelessness. Now, with the help of local organizations like Rose Brooks, Kansas City Police, and UMKC, they provide help to students while in school.

“Let's bring them into the school, so they will have seat time in the classroom, and kids will not miss an hour, a minute, a day of school,” Dr. Cordoba said.

The district started working with organizations a few years ago.

While they do not yet have specific figures, they believe in the future they will save thousands, maybe even millions of dollars, helping their students succeed in and out of the classroom.