Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools: Board Meeting (June 9, 2026)
By Bunny Pederson, Kansas City Documenter
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Summary
- The board reviewed updated budget projections, including transportation cost increases and special education funding needs. Additional budget work sessions were scheduled before a decision on the intent to exceed the revenue neutral mill rate.
- The board conducted a first reading of revisions to its conflict-of-interest policy and discussed strengthening disclosure requirements, clarifying expectations for board members and developing procedures to address conflicts discovered after board action.
- The board received an update on the KidZone before- and after-school program, which served 668 students during the 2025-26 school year. Board members praised the program’s academic, social-emotional and family support services and discussed opportunities for expanding services.
Meeting Attendance
- Yolanda Clark
- Pamela Penn-Hicks
- Wanda Brownlee Paige, vice president
- Anna Stubblefield, superintendent
- Joycelyn Strickland- Egans
- Valdenia Winn
Notes
Recognitions and awards
- 2025-2026 KSHSAA Activities All State Recognition
- 2025-26 KSHSAA Activities BOE All-State Presentation 6-9-2026
Board Discussion
The discussion included department and school building budgets that were uploaded for board review. The administration continues to meet with schools and departments about budget planning. One item cut from the budget was the Kansas City Kansas Community College Program allocation. About $617,000 was added for transportation expenses. Revised transportation costs brought the projected total to nearly $11 million.
Discussion focused on the ongoing gap between special education expenditures and state reimbursement. Board members discussed estimated reimbursement calculations, the district’s maintenance of effort requirements and potential effects of increasing or decreasing special education expenditures. The board is waiting for final reimbursement calculations from the Kansas State Department of Education before making decisions.
Budget Timeline
Important dates include:
- June 23, 2026: Board considers intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate.
- July 17, 2026: Notification to county officials if intent to exceed is approved.
- Aug. 11, 2026: Revenue neutral rate hearing and budget adoption.
- Sept. 18, 2026: Budget submission deadline to the state.
Administrators explained that failure to approve the intent to exceed the revenue neutral mill rate could reduce available district funding by an estimated $8 million. Board members requested additional budget work sessions before final decisions are made.
Consent Agenda
The board approved all consent agenda items with the exception of Item K, which was removed for a discussion at a future board meeting. That item concerned a contract between the district and Community Housing of Wyandotte County (now known as Build WyCo) to transfer properties for the construction of the new Central Middle School.
The contract was presented to the board at its Nov. 21, 2025, special meeting for review prior to formal approval of the agreement between the school district and CHWC for the transfer of property between the two. This board approved it on Dec. 9, 2025. However, at that time that draft had not been presented to CHWC for its review. It has since reviewed the document and suggested changes, which the district’s legal counsel has reviewed and incorporated into the agreement.
The design and construction teams are in the final Unified Government approval stages and expect to have permits within the next month.
26-27 Prep KC MOU.pdf, 25-26 PrepKC_KCKPS ROI.pdf, 25-26 Prep KC_KCKPS End of Year .pdf, 25-26 Prep KC Infographic .pdf, Signed 25-26 KCKPS PREP-KC MOU (1).pdf
- Approve the purchase of Mendez Foundation Too Good For Drugs® and Too Good For Violence® resources, Mendez TGDV Invoice 5.19.26.pdf, Mendez Renewal May 2026 (1).pdf, TGVD&V 8.25 Order Invoice.pdf
- WCSEC Lumen Touch 2026 MSA. Executed 06-01-26.docx, CompuSped (Lumen) IEP System Renewal
Board updates and approvals
- Bid for Produce Vendor for 2026/2027 SY, IFB 26-014 Produce Vendor 2026-2027 SY – Board 05-22-26.pdf
- KSDE Safe and Secure Schools Grant 2026-2027.docx
- Bid for Cell Phone Storage System, IFB 26-016 Cell Phone Storage System – Bid Tabulation Board 06-03-26.pdf
New business – informational
The administration presented information about Justice Assistance Grant funding for school safety and law enforcement support. The district’s police department is submitting the $35,000 grant request to equip officers with automatic external defibrillators in their vehicles.
Information was presented on implementation of the Conscious Discipline program. According to district background, Conscious Discipline “provides a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that develops self-regulation, emotional intelligence, relationship-building and problem-solving skills for students and adults.”
The administration presented a draft strategic plan for board review and future discussion.
Board reports
An update was given on the KidZone before- and after-school program. The discussion included celebrating KidZone’s 29th year of service and providing roughly 593,000 hours of student programming. It operates at nine elementary schools. Five of them are supported through 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. The grants fund academic support, social-emotional learning, enrichment opportunities and family engagement activities. Scholarships are available to qualifying families. Program enrollment continues to increase by about 50 students annually. Board members expressed appreciation for the program and discussed expansion opportunities, staffing needs and the program’s benefits.
Board policy – informational
- BCBG Voting Method (Redlined).docx (first read)
The board discussed revisions requiring members to disclose conflicts of interest. They discussed that members must declare their own conflicts of interest and provided examples of conflicts and potential procedures for addressing conflicts discovered after board action. Policy will return for a second reading with revisions.
- JCBA-Homeless Students.docx (first read)
The board reviewed and reapproved the policy as required for grant compliance.
The board conducted a first reading of the proposed policy to comply with new state legislation about student electronic devices.
Communications
Superintendent Anna Stubblefield:
- Recognized Juneteenth and encouraged community participation in local celebrations.
- Recognized Pride Month and the importance of inclusion and belonging.
- Reported a successful start to summer school.
- Announced the transportation department’s hiring needs for bus drivers.
- Updated summer meal sites.
- Recognized six Washington High School students selected for Kansas Boys State and Girls State programs.
Board Vice President Wanda Brownlee Paige’s Board Commentary:
Brownlee Paige shared experiences from community events and leadership conferences, discussed youth-engagement opportunities, encouraged community involvement and support programs for students and praised the district’s trauma-informed leadership conference and community partnerships.
Observations & Follow-Up Questions
- Full budget information was unavailable, which limited budget conversations. Board members said they didn’t have enough information to make informed decisions.
- Community members commented on nepotism.
- KidZone received strong support. After-school programs were recognized as very important to many communities.
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