On Tuesday evening, a crowd of roughly 55 parents, students and concerned neighbors assembled along 71st Street, just blocks from East Antioch Elementary School, to voice opposition to the Shawnee Mission School District’s plan to close the school by 2031. The rally, held before a closed‑door PTA council meeting with the district superintendent, highlighted the deep ties families have to the neighborhood school.
Students speak out
Among the demonstrators was 9‑year‑old Pippa Coon, who said attending the protest made her feel part of a larger effort to save the school. “It makes me know we are a part of something, and we’re maybe going to save it,” she told reporters.
Alumni on the school board weigh in
East Antioch alumna Tricia McGhee, now a member of the Kansas City Public Schools board, joined the rally. McGhee noted that declining enrollment is a legitimate challenge but warned that the district must consider communities that have already suffered multiple school closures. “The Shawnee Mission North community and their feeder schools are always last to receive district resources,” she said, urging an assessment of past closures to avoid a disproportionate impact on any one area.
Parents praise the school’s community value
Several parents highlighted the school’s role beyond academics. Aude Negrete explained that the school “helps with academic achievement and helps the kids be more confident and have a better academic experience.” Lindsey Kalivoda added, “We love the community this school creates. You can feel that from the moment you walk in the door. It’s not just a building. It’s family.”
District response pending
The Shawnee Mission School District has not yet commented on the rally or the proposed closure timeline. The district’s next steps will likely involve a formal assessment of enrollment trends, transportation logistics, and the impact on families across the district.
What’s at stake
East Antioch Elementary serves a diverse attendance area that includes many families who rely on the school’s programs, after‑school activities, and close‑by location. Closing the school could force students to travel farther to other schools, potentially straining transportation budgets and disrupting established community networks.
Next actions
Parents have launched a “Save East Antioch” campaign, planning further outreach, petitions and attendance at upcoming district meetings. The community hopes that a thorough review of past feeder‑school closures will lead the district to reconsider or modify its closure plan.
We will continue to follow this story and update readers as the Shawnee Mission School District provides more information.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
