Olathe Public Schools is facing a significant decline in enrollment, with over 2,000 students lost since 2019. In response, the district’s task force has recommended closing three to four elementary schools and one middle school. The decision is part of the district’s facility alignment plan, which aims to reduce the number of schools and increase building utilization.

Task Force Recommendations

The task force, composed of staff members, parents, and administrators, met three times this spring to discuss the district’s finances, enrollment history, and future projects. The group surveyed 110 respondents, with all agreeing that the district should reduce the number of elementary schools. The majority, 88 respondents, recommended closing three to four elementary schools. The task force also expressed broad support for reducing middle schools, with only three respondents suggesting that the district should keep the current number of middle schools.

The district’s Deputy Superintendent of Organizational Operations, Jim McMullen, noted that the district is not considering closing any high schools. The recommended closures would bring the total number of elementary schools down to 32 or 33 and the number of middle schools to nine. The district will redraw boundaries as part of the third phase of the process, with the board voting on the changes in January 2027.

Impact on Students and Staff

The school closures and consolidations will likely begin in the 2027-28 school year and continue over the next few years. The changes will affect not only the students but also the teachers and faculty. Superintendent Brent Yeager acknowledged that some employees may not end up at their preferred schools as positions are consolidated. However, he emphasized that the district will do everything possible to take care of its staff.

The district’s enrollment peaked at 30,216 students in 2019 and has since declined to 28,140 students. Projections show that enrollment will continue to drop, reaching just under 26,000 students over the next 15 years. The district has pointed to slowed birth rates, rising housing costs, and an aging population as key factors in the decline.

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.