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Should Police Chief Resign? | New Lee's Summit Superintendent

Segment 1, beginning at 4:42: The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City has called for the Kansas City Police Department leader to resign.

Among his concerns about the conduct of police under Chief Rick Smith is "a lack of accountability and a lack of transparency," said the Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard Jr. His organization joins the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the editorial board of the Kansas City Star, and others in calling for Smith's resignation.

Segment 2, beginning at 34:20: Former Superintendent Dennis Carpenter's tenure ended in an abrupt resignation in July 2019.

Coming from Wright City, Missouri, where he served as superintendent for five years, David Buck stepped into the same role for Lee's Summit schools this month. As school districts continue to weigh their options for reopening during a pandemic, flexibility is a must, Buck said. "Every kid is different, every family situation is different."

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Steve Kraske is an associate teaching professor of journalism at UMKC, a political columnist for The Kansas City Star and has hosted "Up to Date" since 2002. He worked as the full-time political correspondent for The Star from 1994-2013 covering national, state and local campaigns. He also has covered the statehouses in Topeka and Jefferson City.
Danette (Danie) Alexander first came to KCUR in 2007 as an intern for Up to Date after completing her B.A. in Communications at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. After her KCUR internship was completed, Danie continued to spend her mornings assisting senior producer Stephen Steigman as a volunteer with the show. Her radio experience also includes stints with public radio's New Letters on the Air as a broadcast engineer and on local public radio as host of a weekly overnight call-in show.
Luke X. Martin is an assistant producer for KCUR's Up To Date.
Chris Young