Olathe Board Moves to Sell Closed Schools
The district approved its intent to dispose of seven buildings after parents raised concerns about safety plans during community meetings.
By Samuel Hayes ·
The Olathe Board of Education met on Thursday to advance the closure of six district schools that were voted to close previously.
Five board members voted to approve the intent to dispose of the school buildings, with Brad Boyd absent from the session.
The resolution covers Black Bob Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Indian Trail Middle School, Ridgeview Elementary, Scarborough Elementary, Tomahawk Elementary, and Walnut Grove Elementary.
Board officials clarified that this step is required by state law and is not a binding decision to sell the properties.
Parents spoke during public comment to voice concerns about the process, arguing that the selected schools did not align with the district's stated reasons for closure.
Tori Wheeler, a parent of a Black Bob Elementary student, said, "They're asking you to look again at which ones you picked and to be transparent, because the schools you chose do not fit the reasons you gave."
Community boundary meetings began this week, and some attendees reported that their questions about safety and transportation went unanswered.
Chad, a parent of students at Frontier Middle and Black Bob Elementary, said, "the general unpreparedness and lack of solutions presented at the boundary meeting make it clear that the district has no plan."
Parents noted that when they asked how children would safely cross busy roads like Black Bob Rd, they were told it was a police issue.
Superintendent Dr. Brent Yeager responded by stating the district was not being passive, adding that the city and police are the experts on crossing safety.
