Proposed closure of the D-West Primary School turns out a full house

Public hearing held at D-West over the proposed closure of the Primary School. Photo by Nadia Thacker

A public hearing was held Monday night to address the issue of closing the Doniphan West Primary School in Highland, Kan.

“Because we have a decline in state aid and we’re looking at maximizing the efficiency of operations and maintenance as well,” Rex Bollinger, USD 111 Superintendent of Schools said.

Budget cuts announced by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback last month would impact D-West at $26,085 to the school’s current budget with more cuts anticipated for next school year.

Bollinger said the proposal close the Primary School and send Pre-K and Kindergarten to the Elementary School and combined 7th and 8th grade in with the High School location could save the district $70,000 to $77,000 each year.

Public comment was heard from numerous residents with concerns about the buildings and the locations that are being considered for closure.

Highland Business Owner Scott Sisk voiced his concerns about closing the Primary School in Highland and sending kids to the south location in Denton. He and several other residents suggested closing the south location instead and looking into the savings of transportation to keep the students all at a location in Highland.

Danyelle McCauley is a parent of five and said because she lives north in the district in White Cloud sending her small child to Pre-School at the south location would be too far away to send her child.

“For a bus ride it is one hour,” McCauley said. “I have contacted a different school district to get permission to allow my 3-year-old to attend Pre-school there.”

Concerns over the distance for residents sending their kids all over the county were voiced during the meeting as well as concerns about the state of the buildings at both locations including concerns over possible sewer issues at the south location and the current state of the Primary School up for closure in Highland.

“We have one portion that was built in 1895 and we really don’t house that,” said Bollinger. “We would have to negotiate with the City of Highland about what to do with that, it’s on a 90-year lease.”

School Board President Carla Johnson said the hearing was just to get input from the public and take their suggestions into consideration. She said no vote would be made at this time.