Kansas City, MO —

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Recently, the federal government made some big changes to cut back on education spending. These decisions were made to save money and reduce red tape — but even good intentions can have serious consequences when it comes to our kids. These changes may sound far away from home, but here in Kansas City, they could have a big impact on students, teachers, and families — especially those who need the most help. This is not about blaming anyone — it’s about being honest about what might happen and how we can step up as a community.

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Here’s What These Cuts Could Mean for Kansas City:

1. Less Help for Schools that Need It Most

Many schools in Kansas City rely on extra funding from the federal government because they

serve children from families with low incomes. More than 90% of students in Kansas City Public

Schools qualify for free or reduced lunch. Without this money, schools may have to cut reading

and math help, lose important staff, and have larger class sizes.

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2. Less Support for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities — like those who need speech therapy, special learning help, or other

services — are supposed to get extra support by law. But if federal staff and funding are cut,

local schools may struggle to give these students the help they deserve. In Kansas City, about

1,500 students rely on these services.

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3. Losing Teachers and Making the Shortage Worse

Kansas City already struggles to keep enough teachers, and many leave each year. Some

funding that helps train teachers and give them support is now on the chopping block. Without

this, more teachers might leave, and students could lose good, caring adults in the classroom.

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4. Hurting Homeless Students Who Count on Schools for Stability

Many students in Kansas City don’t have a stable place to live — they might be staying in

shelters, motels, or with friends. Schools help make sure these kids still get to class, have

supplies, and don’t fall behind. Cutting this support means some of our most vulnerable kids

might miss out on school entirely.

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What Can We Do as a Community?

These cuts show us something very important: Kansas City can’t wait for others to fix this. We need to work together, right here at home, to take care of our kids.

We are calling on:

- Local leaders and voters to explore new ways to fund and support our schools.

- Businesses, churches, and organizations to step in and help our students and teachers.

- Parents, teachers, and neighbors to join the conversation and share ideas.

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“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

The time to act is now — because our kids are counting on us.

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‍For more information or to join the effort, contact: Joseph Nelson - KCPS School Board Candidate | nelsonkcps@gmail.com | https://www.nelsonforkcps.org/