ShawneeDispatch.com

The overarching message during the Shawanoe Elementary School closing meeting Thursday night was one of acceptance.

Parents and community members from Shawanoe, Rising Star and Mill Creek elementary schools gathered at Trailridge Middle School to voice their opinions and ask questions at the eighth community meeting regarding the Shawnee Mission USD 512 boundary changes and school closing proposals.

District administrators have proposed closing Shawanoe Elementary and reassigning those students to Mill Creek and Rising Star elementary schools at the beginning of the 2011-12 school year. About 173 students residing north of 79th Street and west of Nieman Road would attend Rising Star, while about 150 Shawanoe students would attend Mill Creek.

While parents expressed sadness at the possibility Shawanoe may close, there was a lack of the frustration or hostility that had been seen at other community meetings regarding proposed closings.

Emily Freeman, Shawanoe parent, told board members of her family’s emotional response to the possible closing. Freeman’s family has been involved in the Shawanoe community more than 30 years. She once taught at the school, where her children now attend.

“I will respect the choice you make, but know that my heart will be broken,” she said. “We will all have a reason to grieve.”

Tammie Green, Shawanoe parent, addressed the importance of programs at Shawanoe, such as B.I.S.T., a behavioral intervention program.

“Shawanoe has great staff and faculty,” she said. “Other schools that are struggling, we have the experts to help.”

Kathy Ingram, Rising Star parent, said Rising Star may not have the resources to accommodate Shawanoe’s diverse student body. She also said she was concerned that an influx of families from the Shawanoe area would negatively affect home values.

Ingram said the rate of students who receive free and reduced lunch would increase from around 40 percent to more than 60 percent if Shawanoe students moved to Rising Star.

“We are a unique place at Rising Star with challenges,” she said. “We want to work on that but to add 140 students and raise free and reduced, we are not ready. With Title I, our property values will drop. Is there a way to look at who’s coming to Rising Star and balance the population?”

Barb Janssen, Rising Star parent, reassured parents of Shawanoe students that they will have a place if the proposals are passed.

“Some of us at Rising Star are welcoming,” she said. “It’s going to be OK.”

District administrators answered questions on topics ranging from transportation to class size.

Superintendent Gene Johnson said transportation issues were being worked out. The district’s policy is to offer free bus transportation to students residing 2.5 miles from their schools.

All Shawanoe students traveling to Rising Star would be bused to school, since the distance would be more than 2.5 miles. A portion of Shawanoe students attending Mill Creek would be bused; others living closer than 2.5 miles could still ride the bus, but their parents would have to pay for the service.

Robert DiPierro, deputy superintendent of operations, addressed class size and moving teachers.

While decisions are still being made, the district estimates four teachers would move to Rising Star, while about seven would move to Mill Creek, DiPierro said.

Class sizes would remain within the district’s guidelines of 16 to 24 students in kindergarten and first-grade classes, 17 to 27 students in second- and third-grade classes, and 18 to 28 students in fourth- through sixth-grade classes.

The influx of students at Mill Creek would necessitate a four- to six-classroom addition to the school, hoped to be constructed by November 2011.

Board member Cindy Neighbor thanked patrons for taking the time to share thoughts with the board.

“You are all very passionate, and we’re aware of the challenges you face,” she said. “It’s important that we see Shawnee Mission as one district, not five high schools, seven middle schools or elementary schools. We are one district, and we must maintain that goal and level of excellence that you’ve come to expect and receive from Shawnee Mission.”

The school board will hear final recommendations from administrators at its Nov. 8 meeting. Board members are expected to vote on the school closing matter at that time.

Comments