A report from two consulting firms says it would cost over $1 billion to fix problems with all buildings in the Wichita school district.
The report was presented to school board members week by representatives of Cooperative Strategies and Alloy Engineering as part of a master plan for district facilities. The study said that the district has 54 elementary schools and 24 of them have fewer than 350 students because of declining enrollment. Middle schools are underused by 38 percent. Many of the buildings are aging and need repair.
The situation could lead to decisions to close or consolidate some schools. District staff will continue to work with consultants and they’re expected to have a final report with recommendations for the school board by May or June.
