(WICHITA, Kan.)—
Wichita School Board members say they are ready to move forward with proposed boundary changes. Despite pleas from some parents again to delay the decision, the board says it’s time to take action.“We've spent a great deal of time. Contrary to popular belief we've been talking about this since May of 2009. Plans have to be made. We still have to go about our business and decisions have to be made,” says board president Betty Arnold.
At Monday’s meeting, board members learned that about 10 percent of Wichita students could move to another school under the proposed plan. It would also reduce the number of students at Heights and East High. Heights would see a reduction of 144 students. East would lose 202 students.
South High’s population would grow by 209. The board will vote on the proposed boundary changes in two weeks.
There’s a special meeting on March 5. That meeting is required by law when closing a school to allow for public comment.
After the boundary changes are made the board faces many more decisions. It has to decide whether to allow “grandfathering”, figure out transportation issues, and name the new schools among other issues.
The district will hold the annual Choices Fair on March 1.
