Changes to new south elementary school plan bring many benefits

One of the items promised with the $370 million bond issue passed in 2008 was the construction of a new elementary school in south Wichita to relieve the overcrowding in elementary schools in the area. The district spent several months trying to find the best location to construct the new south elementary school. After a preliminary exercise involving possible boundary scenarios, it was determined that the existing Lewis Open Magnet site, 3030 S. Osage, was an excellent location for the new school.

After careful planning and analysis, a plan was proposed to construct the new school on the site that would serve the current Lewis Open Magnet program and also serve as a neighborhood school. The Lewis Open Magnet program would be located on the west end of the new school and the neighborhood K-5 on the east, with both programs sharing common spaces including the cafeteria, library and multipurpose room that will also be a safe room. A meeting was held with Lewis parents and staff about the concept and the response was positive.

There are significant benefits with this modification of the bond plan, including:

·   Significant savings in land acquisition because the district won’t have to buy land for the new school

·   Savings in the construction of one FEMA safe room, instead of two safe rooms as shown in the original bond plan

·   On-going administrative and operational costs savings

·   The Lewis program will have a brand-new facility

·   Excellent location according to preliminary boundary studies

The concept of the new south elementary school was approved by the Board of Education during the November 23 meeting.

November 24, 2009