The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education paused for a moment of silence and prayer at its Dec. 7 meeting to reflect on student lives that were lost in a violent incident over the weekend.
The district lost a student to a shooting on the weekend on Southwest Boulevard, then another youth was killed in an accident as she was running from the scene.
Additionally, there was a threat of violence at some area high schools on Monday, resulting in some students staying home.
“Anytime we lose a life in this community, or any, it’s senseless, and something that we all need to work together on to put an end to,” said Randy Lopez, board president.
Dr. Anna Stubblefield, superintendent, offered condolences to the families, students and staff who lost family members to gun violence this past week.
She thanked the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools Police Department and the KCK police for their response to social media threats that occurred this week.
“The safety and health of our students is our top priority, and we will not take any threats to our school campuses lightly,” Superintendent Stubblefield said.
Student Services initiated the crisis response team to address any questions from students or those who may have heard of the incidents or been affected by it, she said.
Dr. Stubblefield said the district will continue to be vigilant to find out the source of the social media post. She thanked those who let the district know about the posts.
Lopez also extended condolences to the families of students who died over the weekend, and said the district would do everything possible to keep students healthy and safe.
“The recent violence that has resulted in death occurring to former students is unacceptable, and the threats of violence against any individual or school is wrong and unacceptable,” Lopez said. “We must put an end to violence in our community. We can’t do that alone.”
He said everyone in the community needs to come together to love and support the students.
“Violence is never the answer, and our administration and police department will continue to work to keep us all safe,” he said.
“We should not have to mourn the loss of another student,” Lopez said. “I’m asking you to please put an end to the violence and come together as a community to heal.
“For the families that are mourning, I’m so sorry,” Lopez said. “We will rally around you and rally as a community to show the love, the healing and the resilience that we have.”