Parents and teachers urge board to drop New Stanley from consolidation plan

Jennifer Spears, who identified herself as a lifelong resident and parent and a Stanley PE teacher, told the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools board that adding New Stanley Elementary to the district’s new-build consolidation would “tear apart a very cohesive community school.” She said the district could save money by consolidating schools but asked whether that saving is worth the loss of veteran teachers, family engagement and neighborhood supports.

Andrea Madrigal, a New Stanley teacher of almost three decades, said the community was told the inclusion of New Stanley was only a proposal but that it now “feels like the decision has already been made.” Madrigal warned that the proposed consolidated elementary could hold “over 700 students” and that class sizes are “projected to be 26 to 1,” which she said would reduce staff and undermine supports for English learners and students with special needs.

Parent Kurt Riedema said survey language and outreach had not made it clear that redistricting could mean school closures. He urged the board to remove New Stanley from the closure plan and keep the rest of the boundary plan intact, arguing that New Stanley’s social capital and walkable neighborhood connections are central to its success.

The board did not take immediate action to change the boundary plan during the meeting. Staff and board members acknowledged the comments and collected written materials from speakers for distribution to the full board, and members said they would take the feedback into consideration as the boundary committee’s recommendations move forward.