Kansas City Superintendent John Covington on Saturday unveiled a sweeping plan to close half the district’s schools, redistribute grade levels and sell the downtown central office.
Covington presented his proposal to the school board in advance of a series of public forums this week on what would be the largest swath of closures in district history — as well as a major reorganization.
“Folks, it’s going to hurt,” Covington told an overflow audience at the offices of the district’s law firm. “It’s going to be painful, but if we work together, we’re going to get through it.”
Covington wants to be able to complete the public debate and present a final plan for a vote by the board at its Feb. 24 meeting.
The board and the community have a lot to digest over the next 10 days.
Under the proposal:
•29 to 31 of the district’s 60 schools would close, including Westport High and possibly Northeast High. This would eliminate as many as 285 teaching positions.
•Some programs would be kept intact but move to new locations or consolidate, such as the Lincoln College Preparatory campus and the African-centered education campus.
•The district’s secondary schools would serve grades seven through 12, creating a combination of middle school and high school grades that is used at Southwest Early College Campus and the African-centered program.
•Several elementary schools would serve pre-kindergarten through second grades, and companion elementary schools would serve grades three through six. All early childhood programs would be provided in elementary schools; the early childhood centers would close.
•The district would renew efforts to sell its administration building, which is less than half used. The city has previously offered to buy the property at 1211 McGee St., next to the Sprint Center.
more . . .
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1746970.html
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