KCPS Board reviews financial audit and mental health support for students

These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government.

Summary

KCPS appears to be fiscally responsible as indicated by the 2025 Finance and Compliance Audit, and it plans to proceed with building the new King Empowerment Center (its first new school building in more than 30 years).

Student Support Services provided an update for interventions and training to fulfill a KCPS board policy declaring that a student’s cognitive health is as significant as their emotional and physical health.

Holliday Montessori Principal Laura McKenzie and Vice Principal Monchelle Gordon highlighted the school’s 92% to 95% daily attendance rate, a high number of Montessori-trained staff and a child development-centered curriculum as reasons Holliday has sustained more than three decades as one of a few public Montessori schools in the district.

Top Quote

Josie Herrera, executive director of Student Support Services, said, “KCPS is leading the way for the state of Missouri … continuously looking to us [KCPS] to help guide that Missouri Model.”

Notes

Members in Attendance:

Rita Cortes, KCPS Board Chair

Tanesha Ford, KCPS Board Vice Chair

Monica Curls, KCPS Board Treasurer

Joshua Jackaway, KCPS Board Member

Brittany Foley, KCPS Board Member

Dr. Jennifer Collier, KCPS Superintendent

Lisa Limberg, KCPS Board Secretary

Shana Long, KCPS Chief Legal Officer

Erin Thompson, KCPS Chief Financial Officer

Nicole Collier-White, KCPS Chief Communications Officer

And other, including Holliday principals and staff

The regular business meeting held Dec. 17, 2025 at Holliday Montessori was an “On the Road” meeting. This is when board members travel to a school site to learn about its history, mission and successes. The school’s name honors Harold Holliday Sr. who, among other achievements, was the first Black graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. The Holliday mission is to fulfill the Montessori whole child-centered approach to learning. (04:25) The school board, professional staff and about 80 family members watched short band, orchestra and choir performances provided by the host school. The current PTA president explained community-school interactions and supports.

Recognitions were district-wide as chief communications officer Nicole Collier-White introduced “Scholar Superstars,” “Terrific Teammates,” “Outstanding Administrators” and “Community Champions.” Board members, family and recipients posed for photos after receiving certificates. Parents left at the end of the child’s performance and/or after recognitions. The audience shrank from about 100 to fewer than 20.

KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier introduced accountants who had completed the Fiscal Year 2025 Finance and Compliance Audit. They explained the charts (PowerPoint pages 13 and 14) and districtwide audit results for the board. The auditors’ final report will be posted to the school’s website for public review.

Board Treasurer Monica Curls provided the monthly treasurer report (PowerPoint pages 21 and 22). Noteworthy in that report is that Jackson County’s property tax revenue distributions (which, according to Curls, make up more than half of their budget) have not been received. Curls said that money is expected soon.

The next topic on the agenda regarding Board policy 1.3 (which refers to the board’s role in community engagement) was an annual and comprehensive review of the Student Support Services Department (PowerPoint pages 14 through 19). Josie Herrera, executive director of Student Support Services, and Alicia Smith, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker) as well as manager of behavioral health, presented. The policy and its implementation are consistent with the Montessori mission at Holliday, but policy and practice are districtwide.

Acknowledging that some students must clear higher hurdles than others, Student Support Services strives to help them thrive and manage the traumas faced. Staff have been and are being trained to recognize trauma. Becoming “trauma-aware” is a goal that extends across the district from maintenance and cleaning staff to the highest administrative levels. KCPS has invested in training to provide six certified trainers in order to extend support to every building, classroom, office and open area. School trauma teams may include an administrator, educator and even a student advisor.

Since the policy’s inception, data has informed the program’s effectiveness. One national educational challenge is student attendance. Another is out-of-school suspensions, more often used to discipline people of color. At Holliday Montessori, attendance is between 92% and 95% daily. Other schools in the district are similarly tracked and where attendance is an issue, Student Support Services reaches out to them. Regarding out-of-school suspensions, the district has seen a 7% decrease in the use of that discipline when the 2024 and 2025 school years are compared.

Board member Joshua Jackaway asked if suspensions are being tracked by race. Deputy Superintendent Derald Davis answered in the affirmative and added that administrative support is being given to those staff members and/or the school site. Furthermore, in schools with “restorative coalitions” where 50% of staff have been trained, the use of out-of-school suspension is notably lower. Restorative coalitions also have an impact on services that require trauma recognition, report and intervention.

Jackaway also asked about the turnaround time once a trauma has been identified. Trauma teams use time stamps to log when an interventional need has been reported and when it is resolved using in-district and/or community resources. Such tracking has been improved. In fact, 96% of those referred have been connected to resources and/or services.

Executive Director Herrera noted that “KCPS is leading the way for the state of Missouri… continuously looking to us (KCPS) to help guide that Missouri Model.” Board Chair Rita Cortes thanked the presenters, expressed her support for Board policy 1.3 and thanked Collier, who continues to support a policy begun before her tenure.

Herrera said their initial goals were unrealistic due to staff and student turnover, limited funding and training challenges. The 2030 Blueprint (PowerPoint page 15) and Next Steps (PowerPoint page 19) provide the update and implementation strategy going forward.

The last portion of the regular business meeting was the approval of people named to a Bond Oversight Committee. Those individuals include Shelly Branstetter, Danielle Dispenza, ShaKira Evans, Bob Jacobi, Corey King, Mark Larrabee and Jasmin Moore. Edgar Palacios and Jeffrey Williams will chair the committee with board Chair Rita Cortes serving as liaison between the board and committee.

Contracts were also unanimously approved with Treasurer Monica Curls abstaining because of business ties to two companies. One item not listed on the agenda was an agreement between KCPS, the Disney Theatrical Group and Starlight KC. This student opportunity is at no cost to the district.

Community Perspective

There were no public comments nor was time set aside for them.

Public reactions were indicated by applause during the Holliday school children’s performances and the district’s recognitions.

Observations & Follow-Up Questions

Because Jackson County’s tax contributions to the schools’ annual budget have not been received yet, how will schools adjust to the deficit noted by Board Treasurer Monica Curls?

In the current financial climate, how likely is it that Student Support Services will be able to secure grants sufficient to meet its goals?

How is the current budget challenging the new King Empowerment building project?