email i sent

Hey Guys!

So I know most of you have probably heard about or seen Kansas City Schools in the news, radio other people, or somewhere. And I know that a lot of you have been concerned for me because I've been getting countless messages and e-mails (which i appreciate :)) Asking WHAT is going on in Kansas City and with their schools. To try and clear up what you're seeing in the papers I will let you know what information I have been given from more direct sources. (P.S. Sorry this is super long... but there is much to say :) )

The Kansas City Missouri School District is a district that like any big city has had its problems for a while, and has gone through superintendent after superintendent year after year. The current superintendent is the 2nd superintendent that they have had since IVE been in Kansas City so that tells you a little bit about how the leadership in this district has been for the past 20 or so years.

Because it is an inner city school district, there has always been a heterogenous group of students who attend the schools. There have been African American, Mexican, Indian, White, many different races but there has always been a divide between the races. This divide and the quality of some of the teachers in the district slowly pushed many of the wealthier families to leave the district in search of safer, more "academically sound" schools; either in Kansas City, Kansas or in the Suburbs. Because of this massive outpoor of students Kansas City, Missouri schools have been underenrolled for quite a while. Now that's not to say that ALL schools are underenrolled (for example i have 28 kids in my class, and our school is filled to capacity!) BUTTTTT a majority of the schools will have 17 or so students in a class which is not using funds very wisely.

This is what has caused the recent news of KCMO schools, is that the Superintendent decided to make a bold move, and close almost half of the schools. In reality, this is one of the best things a superintendent has done for the district in a while. EVen though it's very hard on the families and communities who have had schools in their neighborhoods for years (even my school is moving which saddens many of the staff who have worked there for years); it is actually a good plan to save money, keep only the best staff, and make sure that all schools are filled closer to full capacity.

What does that mean for me and other teachers? I went to a meeting yesterday with the head of Teach for America here who has been speaking with people such as our superintendent a lot in the past weeks. She has informed us that OF the "700" staff they are firing, only 285 are teachers. Of this 285 they are trying to get at least 200 of the 500 eligible teachers who can retire to retire with a benefit of 20,000 dollars. This would save actually save the district quite a bit of money. So that leaves about 85 teachers to be fired; of this 85, with natural attrition, and the fact that many teachers do NOT want to leave their schools and move, there is a good posibility that about 85 teachers will leave. This will give principals the chance to keep a majority of their staff that they feel is working to push the students of KC, and those who are not they can let go based on performance.

All in all we have been asured that we will have jobs next year. I know that promises can be futile, and that shit happens. BUT I feel pretty good about where we are now, the needs of the district, and the fact that us as Teach for AMerica teachers are making such gains with our students that we should not fear for our jobs. Because in the end we are really just here for our students and whatever is best for them is what we are here for.

I'm sorry that this email was super long. but i wanted everyone to get facts, and a insiders take on the situation.

i love and miss you all!
Sandy