By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
August 25, 2011

Severed communication lines have caused the superintendent of the Kansas City, Missouri School District to resign.

“What’s happened is the board has governed, the superintendent has administered, and the communication has broken down. That breakdown has resulted in the superintendent’s letter of resignation to the board,” KCMSD Board of Education President Airick West said during an Aug. 25 press conference.

Superintendent Dr. John Covington submitted his resignation, effective Sept. 23, during the school board’s Aug. 24 executive session.

“It was a shock to everybody,” said Jamekia Kendrix, School Advisory Council chair of Carver Dual Language. “I was sad and frustrated because of the timing of it. School just started. There have been a lot of changes that have occurred over the last year and many new changes that started this year.

“I thought it was irresponsible for a leader to choose to walk away after having started so many things that haven’t even been given a chance to operate on their own.”

During the press conference, board members refused to answer questions and board member Arthur Benson and Covington were absent.

West stressed the board did not ask for Covington’s resignation nor did they want him to resign.

“For the past several hours, the board of education has been convening in executive session to discuss what happens next,” West said. “We have to keep our eye on the prize – the business of 17,000 scholars. Nothing is more important than that.”

Board members will continue to meet with Covington to try to remedy the situation, he said.

However, following the press conference, school officials emailed a statement from Covington, which read:

“At a news conference this afternoon, Kansas City, Missouri School District (KCMSD) Board President Airick Leonard West made statements regarding my resignation and the Board’s plan for addressing my decision,” Covington wrote. “In response to Mr. West’s comments, I feel that I am obligated to reiterate that I have resigned as Superintendent of Schools for the Kansas City, Missouri School District, and do not plan to retract my resignation.

“As I informed the Board of Directors last night, I will remain in the role of Superintendent until Sept. 23, 2011 to assist with the transition, if requested to do so by the Board.

“I agree with Mr. West that the focus must be on the district’s students and the business of teaching and learning. Engaging in an ongoing dialogue regarding my resignation distracts the district from its primary focus, which is educating students.”

The board will meet again Aug. 31.

Look for a more in-depth story in next week’s Northeast News.