KCMO School District Elects To Close Nearly Half Of Its Schools
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KCMO School District Elects To Close Nearly Half Of Its Schools
The Kansas City school board is closing nearly half the district's schools in a desperate bid to stay afloat.
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@kake.com
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March 10, 2010

The Kansas City school board is closing nearly half the district's schools in a desperate bid to stay afloat.

The board's 5-4 decision Wednesday night means 29 out of 61 schools will shut down at the end of the school year. The district is seeking to erase a projected $50 million budget shortfall.

Teachers at six other low-performing schools will have to reapply for their jobs, and the district will sell its downtown central office. It also will cut about 700 of its 3,000 jobs -- including 285 teachers.

Superintendent John Covington says district schools are only half-full as enrollment has plummeted. Fewer students means less state funding.

Administrators say the district is plowing through its reserves and will be in the red by 2011 without cuts.


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