SEDGWICK COUNTY –The largest school district in Kansas recommended closing six schools during Monday night's board meeting, according to a statement from Wichita USD 259. The district is facing a $42 million budget deficit and closing 4 elementary and 2 middle schools will prevent job cuts.
The schools recommended to close are Clark Elementary, 650 S Apache Drive; Cleaveland Elementary, 3345 W 33rd Street; Payne Elementary, 1601 S Edwards Street; Park Elementary, 1025 N Main Street; Jardine Middle School, 3550 E Ross Parkway and Hadley Middle School, 1101 N Dougherty Avenue.
Wichita has 54 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, three K-8s, nine high schools and nine special schools. The school district has had declining enrollment since 2016. A final decision on the proposal is expected next month, according to USD 259.