This investigative series into staff turnover and declining enrollment at KIPP Kansas City first came to light when we received an anonymous letter submitted through our tip line. Our education reporter Maria Benevento began contacting former staff members and eventually spoke to 12 current and recent former staff members, a current student, two current board members and the director of KIPP KC’s charter school sponsor, the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. She also looked into board meeting records and state data.
This led to a three-part series that revealed:
- Less than 40% of the employees KIPP Kansas City reported to the state last school year still worked at KIPP KC this school year, according to state records.
- State data shows enrollment declined nearly 20% in one year, during a time that Kansas City charter schools overall lost less than 2% of their enrollment.
- Current and former employees, including a current principal and assistant principal, have publicly asked the board to remove KIPP KC’s executive director.
Read the full series
A ‘revolving door’: Kansas City charter school sees extreme staff turnover
Only about 40% of the employees KIPP Kansas City reported to the state last school year show up on its employee list this year. Leaders say not everyone is on board with necessary change.
This Kansas City charter school lost nearly 20% of its students in one year amid high staff turnover
KIPP Kansas City employees say staff turnover and leadership changes have contributed to issues such as incorrect pay, shrinking enrollment and disrupted education.
How a charter school board reacted when employees asked it to oust the executive director
Current and former employees said they’re frustrated with the level of response from the board after they raised serious concerns about KIPP Kansas City leadership.