Honoring the Legacy of Former Superintendent Dr. Cummings
It is with great respect and sadness that we honor the passing of Dr. Thomas Cummings, former superintendent of North Kansas City Schools. Dr. Cummings led our district with vision, passion, and an unwavering commitment to student success during his tenure from 1995 to 2009. He retired from the superintendency after serving nearly 50 years in education.
Dr. Cummings joined NKC Schools in 1985 as assistant superintendent for instruction before being appointed superintendent a decade later. Under his leadership, the district achieved national recognition for its innovative curriculum, advanced degree programs, and groundbreaking use of technology, fine arts, and music education. His belief in the transformative power of education left an indelible mark on NKC Schools and its students.
His tenure was marked by extraordinary growth—not only in student enrollment but also in community engagement. Programs such as YouthFriends and Partners in Education connected the district to the wider community, fostering new opportunities for collaboration.
Dr. Cummings led significant milestones that transformed the district. Under his guidance, all four high schools earned Missouri A+ certification, allowing students to receive tuition, books, and fees for community college or trade school. He also spearheaded impactful partnerships with local governments and civic organizations, such as the collaboration with the City of North Kansas City to create a jointly operated library media center and with the City of Gladstone to build the North Kansas City Schools Natatorium in conjunction with the Gladstone Community Center.
One of Dr. Cummings’ greatest legacies was his ability to rally the community behind the district. Through his leadership, the district passed its first school bond and levy referendum in 17 years, along with several others in subsequent years. These initiatives provided access to advanced technology, all-day kindergarten, and exceptional library media centers.
One of Dr. Cummings' signature achievements was the Cool Schools initiative, which ensured every school in the district was equipped with air conditioning by 2005. Through his advocacy, he improved the learning environment for countless students and teachers.
Dr. Cummings earned many accolades for his impact on education. In 2005, he was recognized as Missouri Superintendent of the Year and received the Clay County Economic Development Council’s prestigious Look North award in 2006. Additionally, he was honored as one of Kansas City’s Top 25 CEOs. Even more impressive than his awards, was Dr. Cummings’ ability to remember names of all employees, inquiring specifically about their family members or maybe the score of their recent tennis match. He seamlessly connected with others who felt important and special simply because he gave them a moment of his time.
Music held a special place in Dr. Cummings’ heart. As a student he played the baritone horn and later became a steadfast champion of the music arts. To honor his dedication to music education, in 2008 the NKC Schools Education Foundation established a fund supporting beginning orchestra students, helping fifth-grade strings players rent instruments and repair existing school instruments. The Cummings Family Scholarship also continues to celebrate this legacy, awarding funds to select NKC orchestra students in support of their post-secondary education plans since 2016.
Dr. Cummings’ legacy extends beyond his career. Two of his sons, Ben and Daniel, graduated from NKC Schools and are now proud parents in our district. Five of Dr. Cummings’ grandchildren attended school in the district, as well. After his retirement, Dr. Cummings remained deeply involved in the community, serving as a YouthFriend, supporting NKC Schools students at athletic and performance events and even making special appearances at Convocation to help us acknowledge employee years of service. His last conversation with Superintendent Daniels was one of great encouragement, pride in this district and a dash of advice in working with the Board of Education - a superintendent’s seven bosses! His blue eyes gleamed while laughing about stories from years gone by. Dr. Cummings’ commitment to education, people as individuals and his community will live on through the lives he touched and the programs he championed.
As we reflect on Dr. Cummings’ life, we honor his countless contributions to NKC Schools and the profound impact he made on generations of students, staff, and families. Our thoughts are with the Cummings family during this time of loss. His dedication, vision, and love for education will forever remain a part of the fabric of NKC Schools.
A memorial service will be held in honor of Dr. Thomas Cummings in the auditorium at Staley High School on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm. His family will gather in the lobby at 1:00 pm to greet individuals and enjoy stories and celebrations of this great man’s life!