News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Book about Center School District chronicles academic transformation
In 2006, Center School District was a struggling urban school district. The district was provisionally accredited and met only six of Missouri’s 14 education standards. Eight years later Center School District has earned state accreditation with distinction and is meeting all 14 education standards on its annual performance review. “Parents and Schools Together” chronicles Center…
Kansas training educators to protect student privacy
A Kansas program that trains educators how to safeguard students’ digital records received national recognition last week during U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s remarks at the Common Sense Media Privacy Zone Conference. “As you know, though, many of our school systems have work to do to bring (privacy) policy into line with fast-changing technologies….
The Real McCoy: Harris-Kearney House holds artifacts of KC’s founding father
Today’s Kansas Citians owe a lot to the clothesline. In February of 1835, John Calvin McCoy submitted the first map of Westport, which he measured out using his wife’s clothesline. McCoy is commonly thought of as the father of Westport and, by extension, Kansas City. “We are the keepers of history of Westport and early…
Kansas City Public Schools work to involve community in middle school project
As the Kansas City school district prepares to reopen two middle schools next fall, Lead Middle School Principal and Project Leader Dr. Cynthia Johnson is seeking community input on everything from uniform colors to school boundaries to supportive services, like social workers, for students. One way Johnson is reaching out is through a series of…
Truman opens new cancer center
The new Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Center at Truman Medical Centers started treating patients this week, the hospital said Wednesday in a news release. TMC announced the project in June after receiving a $2.3 million gift from the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation. Annette Bloch’s husband, Richard, battled cancer for more than two decades before dying…
Improvements suggested for regional health initiative
Leaders of a key initiative to coordinate and expand healthcare services for the region’s low-income residents must sharpen its focus and do a better job of measuring its outcomes, according to a review by an outside consultant. Known as the Regional Health Care Initiative, the effort operates through the Mid-America Regional Council. Major funding…
Chelsea Clinton speaks at launch event for women’s hall of fame
Chelsea Clinton was the featured speaker at the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame luncheon Monday at UMKC. She spoke about the need for more positive role models for young women and her work with the Clinton Foundation, of which she is vice president. The luncheon was held to celebrate the launch of the Starr Women’s…
Kansas Legislature considering charter school bill
A bill before the Kansas Legislature would encourage the growth of charter schools in the state by expanding the types of public entities that oversee charter schools. Currently, Kansas has 11 charter schools across the state all of which are authorized by school districts. “While the Kansas State Board of Education is the final authorizer…
Truman Medical Centers CEO to retire in July
Truman Medical Centers announced Friday that CEO John Bluford will retire this summer after 15 years in the position. His retirement is effective July 18, according to a news release. Bluford turns 65 on May 1. Bluford is working with a committee that includes TMC board members and appointees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City…
Physicians urged to help stop violence in KCMO
The physician community can play a key role in helping reduce the shootings and killings plaguing the urban core of Kansas City, Mo., the leader of an international violence-prevention organization argued during a visit to the city this week. But the contribution won’t come through patient care, said Dr. Gary Slutkin, an epidemiologist who advocates…