Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board of Education (Jan. 13, 2026)

By Samyra Regalado, Kansas City Documenter

These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government.

Summary

• Pamela Penn-Hicks and Joycelyn Strickland-Egans were sworn in as the newest members of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board of Education. 
• Since January 2025, the Early Childhood Planning Time Committee has been working to address limited planning time for early childhood educators through program and scheduling changes.
• The board approved funding for a new mini-pitch at Bertram Caruthers Elementary ahead of the World Cup, along with school facility repairs, library upgrades and nutrition services equipment.

Notes

Attendance

• Randy Lopez: Board president
• Anna Stubblefield: KCKPS superintendent
• Yolanda Clark: Board member
• Joycelyn Strickland-Egans: Board member
• Robert L. Milan Jr.: Board member
• Wanda Brownlee Paige: Board member
• Pamela Penn-Hicks: Board member

I. Welcome

• Call to Order: Randy Lopez
• Roll Call
• Approval of Regular Agenda

II. Oath of Office

• New board members Pamela Penn-Hicks and Joycelyn Strickland-Egans were sworn in by Wyandotte County Election Commissioner Michael Abbott. 

III. Organization of the Board

• Committee Appointments
  • KCKPS board committee assignments have been updated and approved to include the newest appointed members. 
• Election of Board Vice President
  • KCKPS board members participated in a vote to elect the new KCKPS board vice president. 
  • Members needed a minimum of four votes to be elected. 
  • Members participated in two rounds of voting. 
  • A new vice president was not elected within the two allotted rounds.
  • Another round of voting will be scheduled on the board’s next meeting agenda.

IV. Recognitions and Awards

• Fifth grade student Emma Leihy won the school district’s holiday card contest and was recognized by the board.
• Sumner Academy of Arts and Science’s varsity girls soccer team was recognized for their achievement of the 2024-2025 Pinnacle Award, awarded by United Soccer Coaches.
• Jarius Jones presented the administrators of the month. Danira Fernandez-Flores was named district leader of the month. Heather Calvert was named elementary administrator of the month. Yolanda Thompson was named middle school administrator of the month. Tyler Sisco was named high school administrator of the month.
• The KCKPS board recognized that Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has officially proclaimed January as School Board Recognition Month.
  • Stubblefield recognized the district’s achievements to celebrate the month.
  • KCKPS recorded an 81% graduation rate in 2025, the highest since the state started keeping records.
  • The KCKPS class of 2026 has received $326,052,773 in scholarships as of Jan. 13, 2026.
  • Chronic absenteeism improved by 3%.

V. Community Comment

• No comments or input were given from the public/community.

VI. Consent Agenda

• The board approved the consent agenda.

VII. Board Approvals

• Board approves Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) gates purchase for Kansas City, Kansas Public Library. 
  • The board approved the proposal for the purchase of RFID gates for library branches in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library system.
  • The purchase will cost $71,587.31.
• Board accepts bids for roof replacement at four locations.
  • The bids from three contractors were accepted and totaled to $1,851,792.
  • The buildings that will need roof replacements are Frances Willard Elementary, J.C. Harmon High School, Lindbergh Elementary and Washington High School.
  • Total labor cost: $1,851,792.
  • Total material cost: $420,685.42.
• Board votes to accept U.S. Soccer Foundation Grant.
  • KCKPS board accepted the U.S. Soccer Foundation Grant of $125,000 to build a mini-pitch at Bertram Caruthers Elementary School. KCKPS will pay $20,000 in electrical service.
  • The completion date is anticipated for the summer of 2026 in time for the World Cup. 
  • Some concerns about increased traffic congestion and parking in the area were discussed.
    • Stubblefield said parking will not be affected by the project and adjustments will be made for traffic.
• Board approved purchase of a truck for nutritional services.
  • The used 2018 Isuzu NQR refrigerated box truck will be purchased from Used Truck Center for $44,162.00.

VIII. New Business

• Proposal to update the audiovisual system at South Branch Library
  • The board received an informational overview of a proposed audiovisual system update at the South Branch Library.
  • No action was requested at this meeting.

IX. Board Reports

• Early Childhood Planning Time Update
  • The Early Childhood Planning Time Committee discussed its reasoning for the need for such a committee. Early childhood educators currently receive Wednesday afternoons for their allotted planning time.
  • The committee has been able to implement changes due to program updates, including program restructuring, professional development calendar adjustments and recovery of lost planning time.
  • The committee presented to the board the changes that have been made and what further changes they would like to see to improve early childhood education and outcomes.
  • Early childhood teachers lost 305 minutes of planning time by the end of February 2024, primarily due to inclement weather days.  
  • The committee expressed interest in incorporating a “specials rotation” (such as PE or library) into the early childhood curriculum.
• KCKPS Special Education Quarter Two Report
  • Dana Nelson, director of special education programs, presented second-quarter updates on the KCKPS Special Education 2025-2028 Action Plan.
  • The department’s current focus is on improving the special education experience for students, families and staff, with an emphasis on communication, collaboration and consistent practices.
  • The special education leadership team completed 44 school site visits across elementary, middle, high school and alternative programs to gather feedback and support school staff.
  • The program is continuing its efforts for improved communication to educators and families. 
  • Professional development remains a priority, with 16.5 hours of training provided to special education staff during quarter two. 

X. Board Policy

• KASB Policy Updates
  • The board reviewed proposed policy updates from the Kansas Association of School Boards, including revisions to existing policies and one new policy, updated in December 2025.
  • Updates include clarification of executive session rules, including restrictions on recording.
  • Nine policies were recommended to move forward for first reading. No board action was taken.

XI. Communications

• Stubblefield said chronic absenteeism has decreased by 3% or more across all KCKPS schools.
• KCKPS has received a $25,245 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which will fund 17 new ballistic vests and carriers for the KCKPS police department.

Observations & Follow-Up Questions

• How much funding do programs like early childhood and special education receive or need to implement the changes the staff recommends? 
• Since no candidate received enough votes to be elected vice president, and votes were largely split between Wanda Brownlee Paige and Robert Milan Jr., what qualities are board members looking for in a vice president?
• As communication is a priority in the Special Education Action Plan, how can the special education program further involve or better communicate with families regarding their child’s education?

Read more about this meeting and see all Kansas City Documenters notes here.