Mike McDonald is the first person appointed to a non-voting role on the board set aside for an active classroom teacher.
Maria Benevento
Maria Benevento is The Beacon’s education reporter. She joined The Beacon as a Report for America corps member. In addition to her work at The Beacon, she’s reported for the National Catholic Reporter, Columbia Missourian and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Her education reporting began in 2017, and she became a full-time Kansas City education reporter with The Beacon in mid-2021. She graduated from Creighton University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and American studies. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a master's degree in journalism. She’s lived in Missouri most of her life and first moved to Kansas City in 2017.
Posted inEducation
Classroom supply drive for Raytown teachers runs into unexpected hurdle
A message from the Raytown School District to teachers said they need permission for crowdfunding efforts and that any donations are the property of the district.
Posted inEducation
Divided Kansas City, Kansas, school board makes key property tax decision
Three members wanted to lower property tax rates enough to keep revenue flat, but they were overruled.
Posted inEducation
Simple or oversimplified? Missouri prepares to grade schools on an A-to-F scale
Supporters say the plan gives parents more information, but opponents say it could be a source of confusion and stigma.
Posted inEducation
Here are the winners of the Kansas State Board of Education Republican primaries
Voters in Johnson and Miami counties and much of northern, western and southeastern Kansas chose Republican candidates for the general election in November.
Posted inEducation
Why you don’t have to be a student to enjoy Missouri’s back-to-school tax holiday
Sales tax on certain clothing, school supplies and computers is waived Aug. 7-9.
Posted inElections
Supporters say Amendment 5 won’t harm education funding. Schools aren’t so sure
The amendment’s sponsor says it won’t affect schools in the short term and could help in the long term. But critics say it leaves too many unanswered questions.
Posted inElections
Meet the Republican primary candidates for the Kansas State Board of Education
The winner of this election will face Democrat Amy Diediker for a spot on the board this November.
Posted inEducation
KCK steps up work on school buildings promised with $180 million bond package
Work on an addition to Sumner Academy of Arts and Science began this spring, and construction of three new KCK schools is scheduled to start later this summer.
Posted inEducation
Make cuts or more taxes? KCK school board considers its options
A divided board voted 4-3 to “exceed revenue neutral,” meaning it may collect more taxes to cover growing costs. But the decision isn’t final until August.