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Funkhouser announced a new initiative, Schools First, earlier this week that would seek to improve infrastructure needs, blighted conditions and safety concerns in the half-mile radius around the more than 270 public and private schools in Kansas City. The goal of Schools First is to make areas around schools more walkable, attractive and safe, according to the mayor’s office.

To help pay for the infrastructure improvements, the mayor is suggesting utilizing a $100 million no tax-increase bond issue as well as designating $5 million from the Public Safety Sales Tax, which is up for renewal in 2011, for “public safety presence near schools, including uniformed police officers, crossing guards and other high-profile measures designed to increase safety for children,” according to material from the mayor’s office.

The initiative also suggests prioritizing funding from the city’s budget to focus more on basic services such as code enforcement, nuisance abatement, weed abatement, dangerous building removal and snow removal in neighborhoods within 50-square blocks of schools.

The mayor will host a tele-town hall meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, to discuss the initiative with the public. To participate, call 1-888-886-6603 ext. 13998#.

Look for more information and local reaction on the mayor’s initiative in future editions of the Sun Tribune.

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