Dr. Todd White, superintendent of the North Kansas City School District, addressed the annual meeting of the Northland Education and Business Alliance Friday, Oct. 15. White discussed the state of Northland education and announced the start of a school attendance campaign, “Miss School. Miss Out” The campaign features posters designed by area students.

“Everyone is talking about ‘Waiting for Superman,’” noted speaker Dr. Todd White, superintendent of the North Kansas City School District. “But we’re not waiting for anyone.”

White cited last week’s inclusion of all of the Northland’s public schools in the Missouri Distinction in Performance awards. The area’s private and faith-based programs have also been recognized recently, including the naming of St. Pius High School among the nation’s top 50 schools by the National Catholic High School Honor Roll.

Held at the new Liberty North High School, the meeting also included the launch of a public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of school attendance. The visual centerpiece of the campaign is a series of five posters using these two basic messages:  “Miss School. Miss Out.” and “Every Class. Every Day.”  The posters were written and designed by high school students, will be hung in high schools and businesses throughout the Northland.

White said an important motivation for NEBA members is recognition of a “circle of job creation,” in which better students mean a better workforce, which attracts companies that help fund better schools. “That doesn’t make any headlines but it is critical,” he said.

White also noted the ongoing drive for NEBA members and business partners, and announced the third annual Star Partner Awards luncheon for Feb. 3. The Star Partner Awards recognize the involvement of local firms in school programs at school and in the workplace.