The topic of recent violence and youth deaths in Kansas City, Kansas, came up at the KCK school board meeting on Tuesday night.
Board President Randy Lopez over the past few days they have seen a couple of tragic deaths by violence, young people who lost their lives too early, including one age 18 and one in the late teens. Another youth was in critical condition after being shot, he noted.
“This summer we have seen violence,” he said, “gun violence hit our community. It saddens me every time we lose a young person to violence.”
This is just a plea for the community to come together and work together to stop this violence, Lopez said at the meeting.
He asked residents to build the community and support students and families who lost loved ones.
“KCK, our hearts are with you,” he said. School is not currently in session, but a team from the district has been out there supporting youth and families that are grieving, he added.
“This violence that continues to plague our community needs to stop,” Lopez said. “It hurts every time we see one of our young people lose a life.”
Dr. Valdenia Winn, a school board member added that their condolences and prayers also go to the families of the recent drowning victims.
There are no extra-curricular activities for these youth to focus their energy on. In person school was taken away, zero guidance available for many at risk youth. This is the result of failed state and local leadership.
This is absolutely the truth. Where sports occupied the time of some 4,500 middle school to high school students, now there’s nothing, absolutely nothing. No vision; this is so sad and disappointing!