Whittier students Adelyn Torres (Pre-K) and Mireya Nolasco (Kindergarten) joined their mothers during the board meeting to appeal for their school | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

During the Nov. 20 Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) school board meeting, the initiative to place its ‘Building the Blueprint-10 Year Capital Plan’ on the April 2025 ballot was discussed and approved unanimously. Monthly meetings open to the public are held at the Board of Education building (2910 Troost Ave).

The district’s capital improvement plan — which seeks $524 million in funding to improve education and facilities — also calls for the replacement and relocation of Whittier Elementary (1012 Bales Ave.) in Historic Northeast’s Lykins neighborhood. In recent weeks, neighborhood leaders rallied along with Whittier School parents to raise awareness of the school’s planned closure.

The closure of Whittier Elementary is dependant on the approval of funding of $100 million of a COP  (Certificate of Participation) Bond by the board in February and March 2025 and GO (General Obligation) Bonds involving a property tax increase and voter approval during the April 2025 election for an additional $424 million.

The new Whittier — projected cost $68 million — would be built to create Woodland Empowerment Campus and include an Early Learning Center, Global Academy and Family Empowerment Center. This new school would be far outside the Lykins neighborhood boundaries.

Along with an online petition, Lykins’ residents and Whittier parents and students appealed to board members during this meeting, holding handmade signs and presenting remarks.

Gregg Lombardi, former executive director of the Lykins neighborhood, addressed the board asking them to delay their decision until they had considered other sites, such as vacant land surrounding the proposed Historic Northeast Lofts at Independence and Hardesty avenues. He stated that in conversations with Arnold Development, the developer was willing to donate land for construction of a new school.  

Current Executive Director, Angie Curtis spoke to the board and related concerns about a vacant building in a neighborhood that already experiences issues with unhoused persons, arson, vandalism and loitering. She expressed concerns regarding teacher connections with immigrant families and students, which speak 19 different languages but have found a home in the Whittier community. Closure, she stated, may lead to trauma of being displaced once more.

Lykins resident Mark Logan, relayed to the board that concerned citizens created an online petition to keep Whittier open, based on its location and academic performance. He stated the petition had garnered 150 signatures. Logan remarked he knew the board was committed to equity and hoped they would “work with us to find a solution.”

Following a detailed presentation that outlined cost projections for improvements at 20 of the district’s existing educational facilities and construction of additions and new facilities, the board addressed comments concerning Whittier’s proposed building site.

Board member Monica Curls stated she had visited the suggested Independence and Hardesty site and in her opinion, it was not the correct space for the envisioned campus, as it was bordered by rail lines and major roadways. KCPS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier stated she had also visited that site and had the same concerns regarding rail lines and traffic. Additionally, selection of that site would not only leave Whittier vacant but also Woodland, currently acting as the district’s Welcoming Center, which acclimates students of other cultures to learning in English. Dr. Collier concluded her remarks stating she supported the 10-year capital plan that proposed a “brand new building” and no matter the location some children will have to be bussed there.

The Board then proceeded to vote to accept the recommendations and adaptations presented that would lead to the closure of Whittier. With the unanimous vote, attendees advocating for Whittier silently got up and left the meeting. Logan folded up his sign and placed it in the trash receptacle as he left.

Attendees gathered in the hallway outside the meeting room and were approached by Shannon Jaxx, the district’s consultant for school repurposing. Addressing their concerns, Jaxx stated, “We’re committed to working with you. We understand the impact, we’re hoping we’re going to be serving kiddos really, really well in a new building families help create and design to make sure it’s reflective of them. I wish we could do this on the Whittier site.”

Jaxx confirmed the district will help the community find the best reuse of the Whittier school site to avoid issues associated with vacant buildings.

In November 2022, the district released its Blueprint 2030 plan, which called for three schools in Historic Northeast to be closed. Community members rallied with parents, students, staff and alumni associated with James Elementary, Northeast High School, and Whittier in response. Following numerous appeals, the plan was amended and only two schools were chosen for closure- Longfellow and Troost elementries. 

Whittier Elementary — home of the Lions — will remain open for the next two school years.

The Northeast News will have more details regarding items on the April 2025 ballot as it becomes available.