News Summary
The Wichita School District continues to implement its Facility Master Plan despite voters rejecting a significant bond proposal. Key changes include the transition of Isely Elementary to a K-8 school, with sixth graders starting this week to strengthen community ties. Meanwhile, school closures are still planned, with L’Ouverture and Woodland closing in 2028, while OK and Pleasant Valley will shut by spring 2027. An incentive plan for affected teachers has also been introduced, alongside discussions of a potential bond vote in the future.
Wichita, KS – The Wichita School District (USD 259) is moving forward with portions of its Facility Master Plan, even after local voters rejected a $450 million bond proposal. The district is making significant changes, including the transition of Isely Elementary in Bel Aire to a kindergarten through eighth grade school.
Starting Wednesday, sixth graders returned to Isely Elementary, marking a pivotal shift aimed at enhancing community connections for students. Principal Allison Renner underscored the value of this transition, as it fosters a sense of belonging within the community for young learners. Despite the setback of the bond decision, Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld confirmed that funding has been identified to support the K-8 transformation.
The district also reaffirmed that school closures will proceed as initially announced, regardless of the bond’s defeat. By the year 2027, four elementary schools—L’Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley, and Woodland—are set to close. Notifications regarding these closures are expected to be sent to parents in the fall, pending school board approval. The specific timeline for these closures has yet to be finalized.
As preparations for the closures continue, teachers at the affected schools are seeking clarity on resource availability and communication regarding the decision-making process. Music teacher Kathy Johnson, from L’Ouverture, expressed her sadness regarding the impending closure but acknowledged that she had been prepared for this possibility due to previous district communications. The timeline indicates that OK and Pleasant Valley elementary schools will close in spring 2027, while L’Ouverture and Woodland are scheduled for closure in spring 2028.
An incentive plan for teachers affected by the closures has been introduced, which includes a $1,500 first-year bonus that increases incrementally by $500 each following year, peaking at $3,000 in the fourth year. However, since OK and Pleasant Valley will shut down before the fourth year, staff members from those schools will not be eligible for this final bonus.
Johnson has also stated that she is contemplating retirement following the closure of L’Ouverture, which has been cited for its infrastructure issues. Students from L’Ouverture are expected to transition to nearby Mueller and Spaight elementary schools once the closure takes place.
Looking ahead, there is a possibility that district voters may be asked to consider another bond issue next year. The recommended timeline for this vote is set for November 2026, but this is subject to confirmation by the school board.
This development by USD 259 represents an ongoing effort to address facility needs despite obstacles, aiming to ensure that educational standards and community connections remain a priority for the district’s future.
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Additional Resources
- MSN News: School Closures for USD 259
- KWCH: Teacher Reacts to Wichita School Closure Plan
- KSN News: USD 259 Wichita Cancels School
- KAKE: Wichita Public Schools Prep for Potential Closures
- Kansas.com: Wichita School District Updates
- Wikipedia: Wichita Independent School District
- Google Search: Wichita Public Schools
- Google Scholar: Wichita School Closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wichita
- Google News: Wichita School news
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