Lee’s Summit schools have made several list for being some of the best schools in the nation. However, we also saw the district make national news when conflict arose after an equity plan was introduced to counter the disparities between Black and white students. The tenure with their first Black superintendent Dr. Dennis Carpenter was contentious, with him even receiving racist threats.
Despite the pushback from some parents and community members, the fight for equity and representation continued. A multicultural coalition rallied together to address the racial disparities and lack of representation in leadership. They joined forces, working to elect the first Black school board member, retired Marine Megan Marshall in 2020.
But history continues to be made. On Tuesday, voters elected the second Black board member, Rodrick Sparks. He speaks on the win, his commitment to engage with the community and what’s next.