Showing posts with label Shawnee Mission School District closings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shawnee Mission School District closings. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Shawnee Mission School District Boundry Changes Anger Some


Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Gene Johnson's plans to close several schools has lead to some redistricting as well. Brookwood Elementary School will now be located in the SM South boundary (Students attending Brookwood will eventual attend South) - currently it is in the SM East region. It also appears that new lines drawn directly through a subdivision has drawn some criticism as well. It would seem obvious to some that a district with shrinking enrollment (and a shrinking budget)must make some tough choices. Population shifts have made previous boundaries obsolete. South currently has 400 fewer students than East. With a disparity like that it is hard to offer equal services among schools.

Some change is required to more evenly distribute students among the high schools. These are always emotionally charged situations for parents when it involves their little babies. One look at the district map would indicate the logic in making the decision they did. The area in the far southeast corner of the district is MUCH closer to South than it is East. Students also would likely be able to finish their high school careers at East if they have already started there.

I contend parents should focus on making this a positive for their kids. What about turning this into an opportunity to meet new people. These kids likely have friends and neighbors that go to several different schools - diversity is a good thing, and these parents are sending the wrong message to their children. Is it OK to find answers to their questions? Sure it is, but the problem is - no answer is good enough for them if it's not the answer they are looking for. After all, there are so many things in this world we have little control over.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Shawnee Mission School District to "Right Size"


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Shawnee Mission School District Superintendent Gene Johnson introduced 11 proposals to the public on Monday night. Among them was the closure of 5 schools and redrawing attendance areas for existing schools. Shawnee Mission, like many school districts is facing a reduction in state funding corresponding with a lower student numbers. The district has gone from over 45,000 students in 1970 to fewer than 28,000 last year due to an ageing population base. The schools slated to be closed are projected around half full for the coming school years, and/or would need significant upgrading due to age.

The School District has cut its budget by more than $20 million in the last two years, as well as cut 100 teachers. The new proposals would save the district over $2 million per year. Proposed closings are:

-Bonjour Elementary in Lenexa (built 1954)
-Showanoe Elementary in Shawnee (built 1960)
-Dorothy Moody Elementary in Overland Park (built 1966)
-Antioch Middle School in Overland Park (built 1955)
-Mission Valley Middle School in Prairie Village (built 1958)

All of the schools are quite old and were facing significant updating. Antioch students will be sent to Hocker Grove Middle School, and Mission Valley kids will go to Indian Hills. Over the coming weeks and months, there will be public meetings on each school area affected by the changes, Click here for the schedule.




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