When we reported on a school district based in Rhode Island that decided to fire all staff members at one of its schools, we ourselves were shocked by the board vote. But this story out of Kansas is even more appalling. The Kansas City School District has decided to close half of its 61 schools amidst concerns that its budget is insufficient for the upcoming school year. According to the Associated Press, nearly 700 faculty members will lose there jobs as a result of this massive closure. As you might imagine, parents are furious. There is not telling how the district will manage to relocate such a large number of displaced students. Overcrowding issues are obviously a concern as well.

The district claims that enrollment has dwindled in recent years, with all school facilities operating at 48% ful capacity, according to the New York times. The district says that some students have been lost to charter schools as well as other factors. Schools in the area report dismal student achievement, with the majority of students failing to perform according to grade level standards. Why action had to be delayed until financial resources were severly strained remains a mystery to us. However, now students will have to deal with the district’s inability to adequately fullfil its responsibilities.

There is little question that other districts may follow in similar pursuit as the economy continues to falter. Perhaps this will serve as a lesson in the future that action shouldn’t be dealyed until the very last minute. How districts have chosen to handle their incompetency is unacceptable and underlines part of the reason for our failing public education system.