July 27, 2019

By Jordan Russo-Hicks
Intern for the Tribune

“The last several months have been difficult with a lot of emotion involved,” was the main takeaway from the July 25 board meeting. The acting superintendent, Dr. Emily Miller, introduced herself as someone who is ready to bring in the new school year and prepare the students of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District for success.

Following the recent news of Dr. Dennis Carpenter’s resignation as superintendent of schools, many residents, including parents and students, came to voice their opinions on the agreement that was reached between Carpenter and the district. But board member Kim Fritchie made it clear that there were limits to what could be said.

“We must ask that you do not make personal comments, pro or con, about the superintendent…as he is still an employee of the district,” Fritchie said.

Erica Wilson carefully expressed her views without naming names, saying, “His exit from this district is a huge loss for many of us because we had a really courageous champion for marginalized children and families here. All of us owe it to our children, to him, to get this equity thing right.”

While Dr. Carpenter himself was not up for discussion at the board meeting, it bears mentioning that his work for this school district has been exceptional. He has awoken the Lee’s Summit community to the nightmare it has unconsciously (and consciously) been living: racial inequality.

Some residents of Lee’s Summit are confused about why Carpenter was brought into the district to implement the equity plan, which the board wanted before he was even hired. The board has not commented on whether the equity plan is expected to continue as planned.

“I’m concerned about the safety and welfare of our children,” said Michael Shaw. “To hear children talk about issues that grown adults can’t get right is a little concerning.”

Even though he may be right, the youngest members of our community have given us some light through this troublesome time. These last few months have shown the importance of using your voice for what matters. It does not matter who is speaking up, but rather why they speak up.

Requests for Board President Julie Doane’s resignation were also made once again in light of the racist comments she has made at past meetings. But the board did not engage in such remarks – or have much of a reaction all and the body language of the board president was that of complete indifference.

In fact, looking across the dais at each of the board members during the public comments, there were a majority showing looks of disinterest. One smug look here. Another looking down. The basic body language of these community leaders did not show the concern they should have had regarding the opinions and concerns of members of the community.

This meeting was not lighthearted in nature, but one of adamant concern about the direction of the school district. Still, the members of the board moved smoothly down the docket of items for discussion, not administering any disagreements and some abstaining from further comment.

The board has recently been busy with a series of closed meetings, some preparing everyone for the upcoming school year starting Aug. 14 and some matters that were kept private.

What comes next, only time will tell as the board must recalibrate its approach and consider how their views are being cast onto the students of the district.

Jordan Russo-Hicks, intern reporter for the LSTribune, 2019 graduate of Lee’s Summit West he will be attending KU this fall.