TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! COMMUNITY GROUPS STOP KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP WITH ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE @ SOUTHWEST CAMPUS!!!

Academie Lafayette has suspended their talks with the KCPS but local media isn't reporting the reason why . . .

FIRST ON TKC: CHECK OUT COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE PROPOSED KCPS COLLABO WITH ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE OVER CONCERNS ABOUT DISPARITY FACING STUDENTS!!!

Clearly, these urban core community, education and political groups weren't convinced that the partnership would be equal for minority students.

Check the statement FIRST on TKC . . .

Groups Unite to Stop KCPS Partnership with Academie Lafayette

Black United Front, Freedom, Inc, MORE2, SCLC, Urban League, and Urban Summit will make a joint statement to the press during this gathering. These groups implore KCPS Board of Directors to vote down the current partnership proposal with charter school Academie Lafayette to develop a high school at the Southwest Early College Campus.

“The district needs to continue to focus on the academic performance of the currently enrolled students. We are concerned about the time, energy, and resources that would be invested in this partnership, to the detriment of KCPS students,” said Rev. Rodney Williams, Co-Chair of MORE2 board of directors.

This collection of Kansas City groups, each deeply rooted in racial equality issues, is alarmed by potential inequities related to this partnership and will spell out those concerns, and share written statements with the press.
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Here's the important part of a recent statement from the frenchy school:

Academie Lafayette Suspends Negotiations with KCPS

The Académie Lafayette Board of Directors had a long and difficult meeting last night. Because of continuing uncertainty regarding timing and funding, the board has decided to suspend negotiations on the proposed partnership with the KCPS regarding a high school at the Southwest High School campus. We know this is disappointing to you, our families. It is disappointing to us as well.

We know that the KCPS is in the process of creating a Master Plan. This Master Plan has raised questions on the efficient use of both facilities and funds by KCPS. Until the Master Plan is fully completed and approved it is difficult for KCPS to make definitive decisions about a particular school. In addition, the lack of final resolution on the future of the Southwest Early College Campus students is unsettling. We believe it is in the best interest of our families as well as their families that we step away from these negotiations.

We appreciate the deliberate and inclusive manner in which KCPS is going about the serious process of weighing the needs of present and future generations of Kansas City children. We are in the same position. We must carefully consider what is in the best interests of our current and future students and their families. Once the KCPS has resolved this critically important issue and implemented a plan for their future education, we will welcome resuming negotiations.
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For now, the greatest concern for Southwest remains the aftermath of rampant student sex assault on the campus and now the KCPS will increase security and restore the image of the embattled school.

Double Update Links After TKC:

KCUR: But in the end, leaders from both sides say, it was too difficult to merge the academic programs and to figure out where to house the joint program.

KMBC: Academie Lafayette steps back from plan with KC Public Schools

KSHB: That means parents at the academically successful Kindergarten through 8th grade charter school will now have to make new plans for high school next school year. It also means the public charter school and KCPS will have to scrap their plan.

Update . . .

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR SLY JAMES:

I am saddened that negotiations between Académie Lafayette and Kansas City Public Schools have been suspended.

This was an attempt to add quality schools seats so that our children would have more access to top quality educational options.

The proposed collaboration is an innovative effort by a school district and a charter school to find a way to work together for the benefit of our children.

I hope that all the adults involved in the process will be able to renew this attempt to do all that is possible to ensure a quality education for every child.
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Developing . . .