Meaningful talks between Academie Lafayette and Kansas City Public Schools must focus on students

Disappointing is the mildest way to describe the end of talks over a potential partnership between Academie Lafayette and Kansas City Public Schools to run an International Baccalaureate high school for the district.

Lost for now is the prospect of a high-achieving, language-rich high school for teens in Kansas City, which would have operated at the 522-student Southwest campus, 6512 Wornall Road.

Adult politics coalesced to block what would have been an unprecedented union between the district and a competing charter school, first announced in June 2014. Long-standing tensions between black and white communities and East Side and Southwest corridor factions appeared to play a disruptive role.

Opponents raised an old, tired concern that attention given to the Academie Lafayette-run high school in the majority-white and wealthier part of the district would bleed resources from schools serving largely black students. Families of all races would benefit from an excellent high school option.

The Southwest corridor has the lowest student enrollment of families living in the Kansas City district. The district is in a competitive push to boost enrollment and win back families who have chosen charter and private schools for their children’s education.

Critics expressed concerns about Academie Lafayette’s lack of experience running a high school. They objected to an admissions process that would guarantee spots for graduates for the charter’s pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade program but require Kansas City district students to pass a test to enroll or meet other standards. They also complained about the possible displacement of current Southwest students in upper grades and feared that a second International Baccalaureate high school would negatively affect the enrollment of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, the district’s award-winning, nationally acclaimed school.

That last point is especially shortsighted. The addition of a top-rated International Baccalaureate high school surely would enhance the district’s appeal and help sustain its push for full accreditation.

Officials on both sides said they want the school and are open to finding ways to collaborate. Great.

They should reopen talks and make it happen, putting aside the adult bickering and hand-wringing. The district and Academie Lafayette should return to the table and focus on what’s best for the children of Kansas City.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Meaningful talks between Academie Lafayette and Kansas City Public Schools must focus on students."