Independence school officials short on time and patience

Inventory continued Wednesday at the seven schools the Independence School District has acquired from Kansas City.

And unlike Tuesday, the process went smoothly with no confrontations with Kansas City officials.

But Independence Superintendent Jim Hinson said the continual delays in the transition process of the seven schools cannot continue.

“There are a lot of things to go through and that is a long, laborious and hot process,” he said. “Our hope is to start schools districtwide Aug. 18, but it all depends on how long Kansas City drags this out. If they continue to drag it out, the delay could cause us great problems.”

Tuesday was supposed to be the day that Independence took control of seven buildings in western Independence and Sugar Creek. Voters in both the Kansas City and Independence districts approved the transfer in November.

However, by mid-day, Kansas City officials were blocking access to the buildings. That later changed, but Independence employees are only being allowed to inventory the personal property inside. No physical changes can be made to any of the properties.

Hinson said little changed Wednesday. Although Independence staff met no resistance, inventory is still the only thing that can take place. He said district officials were in contact with lawyers for the Kansas City district by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. However, word was not received back until early afternoon. A tentative meeting between representatives of the two districts is scheduled for Saturday morning to hammer out the dispute.

“We have a list of projects we are hoping to complete by the start of school,” Hinson said. “So every hour that goes by means less gets accomplished.”

Kansas City officials said Tuesday the issue is in regard to the titles for the buildings and getting them properly transferred to Independence. In addition, the payment determined by the Board of Arbitration is requested prior to the release of buildings, and there are concerns with who is liable if someone were to be injured on site.

Hinson said a letter went to interim Kansas City Superintendent John Martin Wednesday morning. That letter indicated the Independence district’s plan to officially take possession of all seven buildings Monday.

If Kansas City felt Independence did not have a legal right to the buildings, the two districts would have to go back to court and a judge would have to decide the matter. That is despite a judge’s ruling Monday that authorized Independence to gain access to the buildings as planned July 1.

“We have not received a response from Kansas City in regards to the letter,” he said. “Since there are only two more business days this week, we felt we could finish the inventory by Thursday. Then we will take possession fully of the buildings Monday.”

On a positive note, Hinson said all teachers have been hired for the seven new schools and instructionally, the district is ready to educate 2,500 additional students. But without schools, he said, being ready instructionally does not matter.

“Instructionally, we are ready to go,” he said. “But we need the facilities to instruct students.”