With too many buildings and not enough students to fill, the Kansas City Public Schools administration is reviewing the district’s plan to close 10 schools. The plan will be implemented in phases over the next few years with two high schools and eight elementary schools closing. “There’s a lot of discomfort in this, and I think it’s frustrating for all sections of the community, even as administrators. Dr. Jennifer Collier, interim director of KCPS , said: One of the first schools scheduled to close under this plan is Central High School, rebuilt in the 1990s, Central’s building has room for 1,200 students. There are about 400 students studying there, and it is proposed that Central close at the end of the school year. The rest of the students will then attend Southeast High School. , Da-Nearle Clarke, Central Class of 2011, said John Robinson, Central Class of 1976. It would be a tragedy, said Pat Clarke, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association. In addition, the third and current building at that site was built in the 1990s. , Central alumni include sprinters Olympic Muna Lee, the baseball team Hal l-of-Famer Casey Stengel and the legendary Walt Disney. “Yes, Central is a school rich in tradition and history. And I’m sure that has been disappointing for those who are part of that community and who are alumni,” said Collier. Robinson opposes plans to close schools. “This will be the crown jewel of the school system right here,” he said. will have the opportunity to voice their opinions Monday at the Southeast Community Center, 3400 East 63 Street in Kansas City. The KCPS School Board is expected to make a final decision on the 2030 Blueprint in December.
With so many buildings and not enough students to fill them, Kansas City Public Schools Administrators are reviewing the district’s plan to close 10 schools.
The idea behind Blueprint 2030 will be to consolidate resources to give students a better academic and extracurricular experience.
The plan will be implemented in phases over the next few years with two high schools and eight elementary schools closing.
“There’s a lot of discomfort in this, and I think it’s frustrating for all parts of the community, even as admins. This is the challenge for us.” Dr. Jennifer Collier, interim director of KCPS said.
One of the first schools scheduled to close as planned is High School High School. Rebuilt in the 1990s, Central’s building has room for 1,200 students. However, there are currently about 400 students studying there.
According to the proposal, Trung will close at the end of the school year. The remaining students will then attend Southeast High School.
Da-Nearle Clarke, Central Class in 2011, said: “I think it’s horrible.
The Eagles soccer team is expected to play its home game in what could be the team’s pre-season match.
John Robinson, Central Class in 1976, said: “It would be a tragedy.
“It’s going to be a tough school,” said Pat Clarke, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association. “But I don’t want to see this school closed any more than anyone else.”
Central has a long history in Kansas City.
The school opened in 1884 at 11 and Locust.
Construction began on Central’s current location in Linwood and Indiana in 1912.
The third and current building at that site was built in the 1990s.
Central’s website boasts “a one-acre field house, Greek theater, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and modern classrooms.”
In addition, Central’s alumni include Olympic sprinter Muna Lee, baseball team Casey Stengel, and legend Walt Disney.
“Yes, Central is a school rich in history and tradition. And I’m sure that was disappointing for those who were part of that community and the alumni,” Collier said.
She also said that KCPS consultants said that although Central’s building is one of the newer buildings on the old school system’s list, there are still some key infrastructure concerns. for Central.
But Robinson opposes the plan to close the school.
“This must be the crown jewel of the school system right here,” he said.
Community input is part of the Blueprint 2030 process.
The public’s first opportunity to express their opinions was on Monday at the Southeast Community Center, 3400 East 63 Street in Kansas City.
The KCPS School Board is expected to make a final decision on the 2030 Blueprint in December.
