The Lykins Neighborhood Association (LNA) is trying to fight Kansas City Public Schools’ (KCPS) planned closure of Whittier Elementary School (1012 Bales Ave.). The KCPS Board will meet on Wednesday, November 20th to vote on whether or not to close Whittier. LNA is trying to organize neighbors and parents of Whittier students to urge the board not to close the school.

Whittier is one of the few neighborhood schools left in the KCPS system. Kids walk to school there every day. If the school is closed, those kids will be bussed to a location near Paseo and Independence Ave.

From my perspective as a neighborhood resident, we want the school to remain in our neighborhood. There are a number of reasons for this.

 First, Whittier is a high-performing school, despite the fact that our neighborhood is one of the lowest income neighborhoods in KC and the fact that Whittier has the most languages spoken at home of any elementary school in the KCPS system. We believe it is working so well precisely because it is small and accessible.

Second, Whittier is walkable for many of our students. Research shows that walking to school produces health and academic performance  benefits. And the health benefits are lifelong. This is especially important in a community that is at high risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Many of our students would have to be bussed based on KCPS’ plan, which puts them at further disadvantage in terms of health, attendance, and performance.

Third, closing Whittier would be an act of further disinvestment in an already disinvested neighborhood. It just perpetuates the cycle of economic disadvantage. The irony is that this disinvestment is based on prior disinvestment. As we understand it, the rationale for closing Whittier is primarily based on deferred maintenance costs. We’ve organized an online petition encouraging folks to urge the KCPS Board to keep Whittier open. 

If you could help us spread the word and encourage signatures, it would be really appreciated.

www.change.org/SAVEWHITTIER

Mark Logan, Lykins resident