Cummings honored by statehouse

By Ray Weikal

North Kansas City Schools Superintendent Tom Cummings’ accomplishments have garnered him statewide recognition.

The district’s soon-to-be retired chief executive officer was named an Outstanding Missourian by a state House of Representatives resolution on April 23 in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Jerry Nolte of Gladstone sponsored the award and presented it to Cummings and his family at the Wednesday morning ceremony. Cummings represents the best Show-Me-State values, according to Nolte.

“There are few who have done as much as ... Cummings to mold and guide the young people of our area and to ensure our schools provide the highest quality education possible,” Nolte said in a press release. “As someone who has dedicated his life to the educational process, he is responsible for having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of thousands of students and their families. It is an honor to take part in paying tribute to this great man and his many accomplishments.”

Cummings, for his part, refused to take credit for the honor. Everyone in the district earned the award, he said.

“It’s always very humbling that you are recognized by the state like that,” Cummings said. “A lot of that recognition comes through the hard work of the district’s employees.”

People in positions of power are always benefiting from the accomplishments of those further down the bureaucratic chain, according to Cummings. These awards need to be kept in perspective, he said.

“Were it not for the works of the district staff and faculty and administrators, this wouldn’t happen,” Cummings said. “That’s one of the perks of being superintendent of the district, I guess. You get recognized for the work of a lot of people.”

Cummings guided the district’s instruction program for 10 years before taking the superintendent’s post in 1995.

Under Cummings’ leadership, the district forged new community ties through programs like Partners in Education, the Education Foundation and the public partnership that helped build Gladstone’s new aquatic center. All four high schools have the state’s “A+” designation, and the district has state and national accreditation.

In 2008, North Kansas City Schools earned a Distinction in Performance mark from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Nolte’s press release points out. District voters have approved school funding measures three times since 2001. Cummings has been named Missouri’s Superintendent of the Year and one of Kansas City’s top 25 CEOs.

State Rep. Trent Skaggs of North Kansas City agreed that Cummings had earned the title of Outstanding Missourian.

“Tom is absolutely deserving,” Skaggs said. “He’s been able to keep our district on par with the best districts in the state.”

Cummings will retire at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. Associate Superintendent Todd White has already been tapped by the Board of Education to replace Cummings.

Staff writer Ray Weikal can be reached at 389-6637 or rayweikal@npgco.com.