WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Three campuses in USD 259 have been officially declared as surplus. Declaring a property surplus is part of a legal process that frees up options for buildings the school district owns but no longer has a use for.
The schools at the center of the discussion are Payne Elementary School, Clark Elementary School and Jardine Middle School.
Currently, there isn’t an official plan for the schools, but the district has laid out a few options for moving forward. They could be sold to private or public entities, kept as storm shelters or be reopened as attendance centers. Board of Education President Stan Reeser says until they find an official plan, they’ll continue to maintain and monitor the schools.
“We are going to always have to keep a sharp eye on our facilities, what our future needs are and be cost efficient at all times,” Reeser said.
Vice President of the Teacher’s Union Mike Harris stresses the importance of relieving the stress teachers have been feeling since the closures. He says the buildings could help the district find creative solutions to the challenges teachers are facing.
“At the end of the day, [it’s] large class sizes and classrooms that are too small and lack the necessary infrastructure to support learning in a 21st-century environment,” Harris said. “I think when we look at these options, one of the most important things the school board considers is that all of the voices across our community are included in the process.”
Now, what’s next is in the state’s hands. They have the first say on whether they will take the buildings, but Reeser says that isn’t likely. Once an official plan is settled on for any of the three buildings, it will be reviewed by a citizens’ commission before ultimately being approved by the school board.
Six buildings closed this year:
- Park Elementary
- Payne Elementary
- Clark Elementary
- Cleveland Elementary
- Jardine Middle
- Hadley Middle
Park Elementary is the site of Wichita’s future multi-agency center. It was declared surplus and sold to the City in one vote. Hadley Middle and Cleveland Elementary are both being held by the district for potential future use.
