USD 259 unanimously approves finalizing facilities master plan Monday

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — On Monday, the Wichita School Board unanimously approved the district’s facility master plan, 7-0.

The plan consolidates 10 buildings, including elementary schools, alternative schools, and administrative centers. However, it would rebuild seven schools, five elementary schools (Adams, Black, Caldwell, Irving, McLean) and two middle schools (Truesdell, Coleman), and repurpose two buildings for alternative programs.

“We understand the basic concept that we’re probably going to need fewer and newer buildings, but also protect the high-performing neighborhood schools,” said USD 259 BOE president Stan Reeser.

The plan would also create a building trades center at Wichita East High School and add a new early childhood center. It also aims to convert Cessna and Isely elementary schools into kindergarten through 8th-grade centers.

The facilities master plan was introduced in June.

“We expect to have a vote. We’ve been working on the Master Plan all summer. We originally were going to possibly take action on it in late June. And then the board decided that we really needed to digest this plan a little bit more,” said Reeser.

To make this happen, the district may have voters approve a $450 million school bond. The board has not decided whether to proceed in this direction. However, a couple of weeks ago, the district’s chief financial officer said that if they want to pass one soon, they need to start the process.

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