Wichita Public Schools adopted a plan to shut additional schools

On Monday, Wichita Public Schools adopted a plan to shut additional schools and consolidate others. According to district administrators, there is a lot that needs to happen before buildings close. All of this is part of the district's ongoing effort to reduce expenditures.

The district began the school year with six fewer schools after several elementary and middle schools were closed during the summer due to a budget deficit, dwindling enrollment, and postponed maintenance.

The approved facilities master plan advises the closure of four elementary schools: L'Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley, and Woodland.

KSN News reports that many programs, including Sowers Alternative High School and the Gateway Alternative Program , would also have their buildings closed and moved to other buildings.

There’s no timeline for when the closures might take place.

“What the demographics is telling us s that we are going to need newer and fewer school buildings, so that is basically the reality of what we face with our student enrollment ’09 and what were trying to do is actually have a roadmap, a plan,” said USD 259 Board of Education Member Stan Reeser.

More information on the plan and affected schools can be found here .