Northeast News
August 13, 2013

Kansas City Public Schools will be hosting several public meetings regarding shuttered KCPS schools in the Historic Northeast area.

The former Thacher Elementary School will be discussed during the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association Meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the North-East Public Library, 6000 Wilson Rd., Kansas City, Mo.

Shuttered in 2009, Thacher has suffered extensive damage, thanks to vandals. Arson gutted the second floor of the 1914 addition and severely compromised the second floor in January of 2011. As a result of the fire, a portion of the roof caved in and continues to remain exposed to the elements. Both the 1914 and 1898 building have water damage and Thacher is no longer mechanically functional as a result of metal theft. To date, no viable buyers have offered to purchase the building.

Earlier this year, KCPS Board of Education members voted to re-instate the district’s middle school system, and KCPS plans to renovate the former Northeast Middle School as part of that initiative. The middle school shares an 8-acre site with Thacher and out of student safety and security concerns, KCPS officials are pushing for demolition of Thacher. KCPS plans to have middle schoolers on-site at Northeast Middle in the fall of 2014.

In a press release, KCPS stated, “In order to ensure that Thacher does not present a safety hazard to the community and future middle schoolers at NE Middle, KCPS staff is moving forward with the demolition process and will provide an update to community stakeholders.”

That update will be discussed during the Aug. 19 meeting at the North-East Public Library. All are invited to attend.

McCoy to be demolished
As for the former McCoy school, 1524 White Ave., neighborhood leaders and residents have requested the building be demolished due to continued vandalism and a lack of interested buyers. KCPS will host a final site design meeting at 6 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 15, in the Holter Center at Saint Paul School of Theology, 5123 E. Truman Rd., Kansas City, Mo. 360 Architecture will attend to discuss the plans in further detail.

On Aug. 22, KCPS will host a meeting regarding the demolition of McCoy at 6 p.m. on-site at the former school, 1524 White Ave. KCPS’ hired demolition contractor will discuss the phases of demolition and address any community questions and concerns.