Kansas City Public Schools Board of Directors (Dec. 17, 2025)
By Connye Griffin, Kansas City Documenter
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.” (1:05:25).
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…