KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Faced with a projected budget shortfall of $50 million, the Kansas City school board voted 5-4 Wednesday night to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to close 29 of its 61 public schools. Board president Marilyn Simmons voted against the plan and told ABC News that the closings can only be justified if it eventually helps Kansas City’s children. Sharon Sanders-Brooke, a Kansas City council member, told ABC she believes the move will hurt businesses in the center of the city. The superintendent refused to comment immediately after the vote. Armed guards were put in front of the stage to prevent any member from going up to directly confront the board members.
