School Board Seeks New Member

Kearney School District’s Board of Education is seeking qualified applicants to fill an open at-large seat following the recent resignation of member Len Broughton.

The school board was officially informed of Broughton’s resignation by Board Secretary Becky Burkemper during their business meeting on Wednesday, April 16.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a completed Board of Education Application for Vacant Board Position (G-335-A); a hard copy can be picked up at the district office. Applications must be submitted to Mrs. Burkemper at burkemperb@ksdr1.net or in person at 425 W. Washington St. in Kearney before 4:30 p.m. on May 8, 2025. Call (816) 628-4116 for more details.

Selected candidates will be interviewed in an open session meeting starting at 4:30 p.m. on May 21, 2025. The board may vote to select the new member at the June 18, 2025, regular board meeting. If selected, the new board member would serve until the April 6, 2026, election.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney Aldermen, School Board, and Proposition A Results

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, April 8, to decide who would serve in elected positions and if the city residents would approve a new half-cent sales tax to help fund Kearney Police initiatives. Here are the unofficial results from the Clay County Board of Elections:

Board of Aldermen

Ward 1 Alderman candidate Gerri Spencer and incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Dan Holt ran unopposed and were automatically elected for those seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Kearney School Board

Four individuals ran for two open seats on the Kearney School District:

[X] Christina Lindsay – 27.03%

Michael Joe Hickey – 5.18%

Justin Cook – 19.21%

[X] Jason Klindt – 30.34%

Proposition A

Residents also voted on Proposition A, that would allow the Kearney Police Department to expand its capabilities, update critical equipment, and effectively address the rise in activity through a half-cent sales tax.

Proposition A was narrowly defeated. 51.64% of voters said no, while 48.12% were in favor of the measure.

“I'm disappointed in the outcome, but I appreciate the continued support we receive from the community,” Chief Mark Thomas told KPGZ News. “The Kearney Police Department will always provide the service and protection to our community that we have always been committed to in the past as well as in the future.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Board President Earns Distinguished Certification

Kearney School District Board of Education President Darlene Bailey was honored on Feb. 19 for earning a Distinguished Certification from the Missouri School Boards’ Association.

Dr. Bailey garnered this recognition by satisfactorily completing 64 Certified Board Member Credits and other professional development requirements. She previously earned her Essential, Advanced and Master certifications.

She also engaged in a variety of leadership, advocacy and presentation activities. This work included:

• Attending two MSBA core meetings, with at least one in the current year

• Reading one book from the MSBA Booklist for Reading Requirement and submitting a Reading Reflection

• Observing a school board meeting in two other districts and submitting a Board Meeting Observation form

• Completing eight activities involving leadership, advocacy and presentations in her most recent three years of board service

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

KSD to Host Annual Resource Fair

Kearney School District is hosting its 2024 Back-to-School Resource Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, and 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Hawthorne Elementary School, which is located at 1815 S. Jefferson St. in Kearney, Mo.

The annual Back-to-School Resource Fair features school supplies, backpacks, gently used clothing and other community resources for students in need. The event is designed to ensure that every child in KSD has the support they need to thrive in the upcoming school year, according to District Social Worker Meeghan Masters.

“Last year we were able to help 256 students be ready for their first day of school,” Ms. Masters said. “This is only possible because of the help of many partners from across the community.”

Families are asked to register their children for the resource fair in order to help organizers plan and run the event. Visit bit.ly/ksd-resource-fair-24 to complete a short online registration form.

Donate Items

KSD social workers will be collecting new and gently used clothes and shoes and distributing them during the Back to School Resource Fair. They need clothes and shoes in all sizes, from youth small to adult XXL. Basic school supplies are also needed. Donated clothes, shoes and supplies may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Aug. 5-9 at Hawthorne Elementary.

Buy A Shirt & Give A Shirt

Purchase a custom KSD back-to-school shirt for $17 and one will be donated for a student who attends the Resource Fair. A shirt can also be donated directly for just $8.50. Visit the Buy-A-Shirt-Give-A-Shirt site to learn more.

Donate Money

Monetary donations directly fund the fair and can be made to: Kearney R-1 School District, Attn – Back to School Resource Fair, 150 West State Route 92, Kearney, MO 64060

Volunteer

The fair is a great opportunity for individuals, families and organizations to volunteer for community service. Visit the online sign-up form to register as a volunteer.

For more information about the 2024 KSD Back to School Resource Fair, contact Meeghan Masters at mastersm@ksdr1.net.

KSD’s 2024-2025 academic year starts on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Important back-to-school information is available and updated online at www.ksdr1.net/back-to-school.

To learn more about how to enroll a child in KSD, visit our enrollment webpage, call (816) 628-4116 or email reghelp@ksdr1.net.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.