ShawneeDispatch.com

If the Shawnee Mission USD 512 Board of Education passes proposed boundary changes and school closing on Nov. 8, the landscape of the district will change for many students.

Fourty-four students at Mill Creek Elementary School, 13951 W. 79th Street, will move to Rhein Benninghoven Elementary School, 6720 Caenen.

The students live at the Prairie Lakes apartment complex, 6700 Lackman Road, which was originally in the Benninghoven attendance area.

Thursday evening parents and patrons of both schools came to the tenth of 11 community meetings to discuss each proposal.

While there were many questions, parents at both schools were accepting of the proposal.

Amy Trollinger, PTA member at Benninghoven, welcomed the students back to Benninghoven.

“We want to do the best to welcome you to our school and make you feel part of our family,” she said.

The students are being moved in part to make room for about 159 students that would move to Mill Creek if the board passes Proposal 6 to close Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W. 75th Street. If both proposals pass there would be about 104 new students at Mill Creek for the 2011-12 school year.

The influx of students won’t be the only new thing to Mill Creek. It is also anticipated that the school will open two to four new classrooms in November.

Gene Johnson, superintendent, said the board of education previously approved the hiring of an architect for the project. The project also included a secure entryway and expanded cafeteria, in which two classrooms will be used for.

Johnson also touched on the district’s budgetary concerns. It is estimated the district will save nearly $3 million if proposals to close two elementary and two middle schools pass.

Johnson said the district was on track to have a reserve balance of $5.9 million for the 2010-11 school year. The 2011-12 school year sees the district with a deficit of $9.4 million.

One patron asked Johnson how the district planned to cover the balance of roughly $6 million, if proposals are passed.

“We realize the amount of savings is not going to take care of the deficit,” he said. “The first year or two after buildings close it will take a while to decide what to do with the buildings. The amount saved is significant, this does make a big difference.”

Johnson said the district would begin budget talks in November.

Transportation was also a question on many parents mind Thursday evening.

Students residing in the Prairie Lakes apartments are currently bussed to Mill Creek, however the students will only be 1.9 miles from Benninghoven next year. The district pays to bus students that are 2.5 miles or more for school. Parents have the option to pay for bussing within 2.5 miles or transport their children on their own.

“We will take the bus transportation situation into consideration,” he said. “We’ll evaluate the situation.”

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

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