Kansas City Fights For Libraries & Schools

After years of blogging . . . Here's what we know for certain . . .

Nobody really cares about education news. 

Still . . . This stuff is important and we hope smarty hottie Allison and her "Six Feet Of Sunshine" online activism will inspire just a bit of curiosity about the local struggle to educate the NEXTGEN . . . Check-it:

Staffing issues force closure of KCMO Public Library Sugar Creek branch

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Sugar Creek branch of the Kansas City Public Library will be closed on Friday due to staffing issues. According to the library, the staffing issues closed the Sugar Creek and Trails West branches at noon on Thursday, and Sugar Creek will remain closed on Friday.

Hickman Mills teachers to get significant pay raise aimed at recruiting, retaining staff

A nearly 25% pay raise is on the way for teachers in the Hickman Mills School District. It comes after the school board unanimously approved salary increases Thursday night. KMBC 9 spoke with the district's superintendent and a teacher about why the move is critical right now.

Kansas City woman fights to keep Whittier Elementary open

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Ten Kansas City Public Schools will be on the chopping block at next month's board meeting. The district is blaming part of it on dwindling enrollment. Whittier Elementary is one of those schools on the list. If the board approves what's called "Blueprint 2030," Whittier will close in the fall of 2024.

Speak Up for Libraries campaign challenges Ashcroft's proposed media restrictions

Kansas City Public Library Plaza location. // Photo by Jim Nimmo Libraries across the state of Missouri are reprimanding restrictions on minors' access to library materials proposed by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. The proposal requires that state-funded libraries seek parental permission before allowing children to check out materials and seek community approval on age limits for content.

Developing . . .