March 1 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

Repeat OffendersOf public schools, KCMO made our list the most with 14 schools, but in KCK, the Kansas City KansasSchool District's Central Kitchen was cited for the most documented live roaches seen by one inspector.“Certainly the majority of our schools are not in that category,” JoAnne DeShields, the directors of KCMOSchools’ cafeterias said. “I know that they made the corrections”She acknowledges inspectors found evidence of rats, mice, roaches, and other health risks, but seemedsurprised when we told her about the KCMO school caught two-times with no hot water."I don't know that that's accurate,” DeShields said, asking to pause the interview when we showed her thehealth department records confirming the case.Upon reviewing our reports, she emphasized every critical violation identified by inspectors has since beenfixed.“We try to address that,” DeShields said.When asked how the same problem could occur at the same school over a four-month period withoutworkers noticing the lack of hot water, DeSheilds said, “Honestly, I'm not quite sure.”Cockroaches and hand washing violations were the also problem at the Kansas City Kansas Area TechnicalSchool which at nine critical violations got more violations during one inspection, than any other school inthe metro over the two year period.KCK's John Fiske Elementary had the highest documented mouse count at 20 rodents school wide.Metro private schools made our list 12 times over the two year period.At seven critical violations each, the private Lutheran High School tied with the Barstow School for privateschools with the most violations in one inspection.Schools RespondMany schools have provided written statements addressing the concerns which we are providing uneditedonline.Schools point out that the inspections only offer a glimpse of conditions on the specific day inspectors werein the kitchen and that critical violations must be corrected in order to stay in operation.All schools on our list have passed follow-up inspections and met at least minimum health standards.