Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools: Board Meeting (May 12, 2026)

By Luz Ortiz Martinez, Kansas City Documenter

See more about this meeting at Documenters.org 

Summary

• The board recognized standout athletes and extracurricular activity participants from the winter 2025-26 semester.
• Presentations from principals at the elementary and secondary levels touched on topics that included mental health, transportation and absenteeism.
• Spending approved by the board included a transit van for mobile library services and gym bleacher replacement at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science.

Notes

1. Recognitions and Awards
   1.  A scheduling conflict prevented a planned student performance to celebrate Asian American History Month. But Superintendent Anna Stubblefield said the district had a “wonderful opportunity” the prior week to bring together Asian American and Pacific Islander high school students from the district with community partners “where they were able to provide information about their experience and also to be among one another to give the district feedback on their experience.” This month, she added, “is an opportunity to honor the rich cultures, histories and traditions that strengthen our community and to recognize the important role diversity plays in education.”
   2. Samuel Simmons Sr. , executive director of athletics, activities and student development, presented the 2025-26 winter athletics and activities all-state scholars The recognized students are listed here. 
   3. Music directors from various schools presented their standout students.
   4. Administrators of the Month:
      1. Zak Duncan, special education administrator coordinator at the central office 
      2. Chantel Edwards, assistant principal of Hazel Grove Elementary 
      3. Brian Guliford, principal of Wyandotte High School 
      4. Ashley Campbell, assistant principal of Arrowhead Middle School 
2. Community Comment
   1. Jacqueline Anderson requested an emphasis on Sumner Academy’s African American heritage and making it integral to students’ education. 
   2. Sarah Lynch expressed concern about violence in the district. She mentioned immigrant, disabled and otherwise vulnerable students and said every student deserved to feel safe and worthy.
   3. Louise Lynch said students in the district are “dying” physically, emotionally and academically  She also argued that district students have substandard reading levels, criticized the superintendent’s salary and said there is a petition drive calling for a forensic audit of the district.
3. Board Discussion
   1. Building Needs Assessments Q&A with Principals
      1. The board heard from principals at different levels, including Rick Malone at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Lynn Dykes at Douglass Elementary, and Cindy Cop at T.A. Edison Elementary.
      2. The topics of discussion included:
         1. The district strategic framework shared with the board included a 2031 goal that 100% of students will graduate with a diploma plus an endorsement, with no disparities in race or gender subgroups while meeting or exceeding the average graduation rate of the state. 
         2. Malone’s presentation, along with answering questions from the board, touched on these topics:
            1. More opportunities for tutoring and late bus transportation. Tutoring and summer school help, but that most learning occurs in the regular classroom.
            2. Board Vice President Wanda Brownlee Paige said there needs to be improved communication with parents and that staff should get trained to do so.
      3. Responding to a question from board member Joycelyn Strickland-Egans about the social emotional needs of students, Malone noted the behavioral health team has counselors, social workers, nursing staff and a restorative justice coordinator. Staff also had special training this year to respond to crises such as threats of suicide. 
      4. Board President Randy Lopez said the district is preparing for state budget cuts that could make student transportation more challenging than it already is.
      5. Board member Valdenia Winn wanted more specificity in the needs assessment to better prepare the board to address needs during the budget process, including the needs of foster students in the district.
      6. It was noted that all students take a career tech education course before graduation. 
      7. There’s a need for consistency of site councils and PTSA meeting notes being recorded and distributed as an opportunity for improvement for all schools and for greater accountability. 
      8. Board member Pamela Penn-Hicks expressed concern that student trauma was at nearly 86% in some middle schools.
      9. Cop said her team is “constantly talking” to parents about social emotional supports, and she was encouraged that 92% of parents showed up to a recent family advocacy event. “We will do whatever it takes to get a hold of those parents,” she said, “and 92% of our parents, we are talking to those families specifically about their child and their child’s growth — that happens several times throughout the year on the family activity nights.”
      10. There’s a need for more after-school programs.
      11. Winn asked about the plan for addressing an absenteeism rate that can reach about 30% in some schools. It was said that calls to parents whose students are absent are made daily, schools celebrate students who are improving their attendance, and teachers talk to students about resources they need. All elementary schools have reduced absentee rates this year.   
4. Approval of the consent agenda
   1. The board approved the following key consent items:
      1. Public Library Human Resources Report and Operations Recommendations
      2. Out of District Travel 
      3. Advanced Healthstyles Fitness Equipment
      4. Audio Enhancement Security Proposal
5. Board updates and approvals
   1. The board approved the following items:
   2. Purchase of Transit Van for KCKPL Mobile Library Services
   3. Sumner Bleacher Replacement
   4. BAS support contract 

Observations & Follow-Up Questions

• How will the need assessment process affect the upcoming budget allocations from the board, keeping in mind that budget cuts are expected from the state of Kansas?
• It seemed there was frustration on the part of both the school board members and the administrators with the needs assessment discussion. Board members particularly wanted more specificity than was provided.
• Will the forensic audit mentioned at the public comment period get authorized? 

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