Consultants hired by Wichita public schools say the district needs to reduce its number of buildings by more than 25% over the next two decades. That could involve a massive bond issue or series of bonds to build and renovate schools — though none of the options include price tags just yet. And it likely will mean closing many older, smaller schools. David Sturtz with Ohio-based Woolpert, formerly Cooperative Strategies, presented four options during community meetings Monday. They range from a “no bond” option to an extensive building and renovation plan that would take 15 to 20 years. All options include closing and consolidating up to 19 buildings. Sturtz said many Wichita schools are too old to fix, or they weren’t designed for the way students learn today. “It is an opportunity to reimagine what your schools look like,” he said. “An era of rebuilding is here.” Wichita school board members are collecting feedback from residents this week and will explore options in detail during a workshop next month. In June, they’ll vote on a long-term facilities master plan. The board voted last month to shutter two middle schools and four elementary schools at the end of this academic year because of declining enrollment and a $42 million budget deficit.
Source: KCUR News
