Six Schools Recommended for Closure Beginning in 2027-28

A Message from District Leadership: 

At tonight’s Board of Education meeting, district administration recommended closing five elementary schools and one middle school beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The Board of Education will consider the recommendation, with a vote scheduled for October 2026. 

The schools recommended for closure are: 

• Black Bob Elementary 
• Heritage Elementary 
• Scarborough Elementary 
• Tomahawk Elementary 
• Walnut Grove Elementary 
• Indian Trail Middle School 

We know seeing any school’s name on this list would be difficult. Our schools are much more than buildings. They are places where students grow, staff build careers, families form friendships and generations of memories are made. We understand how deeply connected our community is to these schools, and this recommendation was not made lightly. 

At the same time, the district must respond to declining enrollment driven by lower birth rates and rising home prices, as well as budget pressure stemming from the underfunding of special education. 

Today, Olathe Public Schools serves approximately the same number of elementary students as it did in 2001, but operates nine more elementary schools. This is just one example of why our district has reached a point where it must better align the number of schools it operates with the number of students it serves. 

How did we get here? 

The recommendation follows more than 18 months of study, analysis and community involvement. 

Demographic Study 

An outside consultant studied enrollment trends and projections and provided guidance on the number of schools the district will need in the future. 

View the consultant’s presentation from the July 29 Board of Education workshop.

Facility Alignment Task Force 

This spring, one parent and one staff member from every school participated in a Facility Alignment Task Force. The group reviewed enrollment and facility data and ultimately recommended closing more than three elementary schools and one middle school. 

Facility Alignment Steering Committee 

A smaller group of parents and staff from the Task Force met this summer to study individual schools and recommend specific buildings for possible closure. 

Schools were evaluated using a variety of factors, including enrollment numbers, building capacity, age and condition of facilities, current and future maintenance costs, transportation, location and school programming, among others. No single factor determined whether a school was recommended for closure. 

District leadership considered the work of these groups, along with community input, enrollment projections, facility information and other factors in developing tonight’s recommendation. 

What happens next? 

No schools will close during the 2026-27 school year. 

The Board will consider the recommendation, with a vote planned for October 2026. If approved, the six schools would close beginning with the 2027-28 school year. 

The impact would extend beyond the schools recommended for closure. Attendance boundaries would need to change, and some schools that remain open would also be affected. 

If the recommendation is approved, the district will begin the attendance boundary process this fall, including opportunities for community involvement. The goal is to approve new boundaries by January 2027 so families and staff have time to prepare. 

Where will my student attend school? 

We do not have those answers yet. New attendance boundaries cannot be finalized until the Board makes a decision about school closures. Proposed boundaries will be shared with the community this fall before final action by the Board. 

At tonight’s meeting, district administration also recommended moving the Spanish Immersion program from Black Bob Elementary to Arbor Creek Elementary. The Spanish Immersion program at Manchester Park Elementary would remain in place. 

How can I learn more or provide feedback? 

Families and community members can also visit the district’s School Alignment website to review previous communications, presentations, data and frequently asked questions. 

The district will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Olathe South High School (1640 E. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062) where individuals will be given three minutes to make a public comment to district leaders. Board of Education members will be present but will be unable to engage in two-way dialogue to respect each speaker’s allotted time. 

To help ensure that all feedback regarding the proposed school closures is heard and received by all district leaders, please complete our direct feedback form. 

This is a difficult decision. 

We recognize that no amount of data makes the possibility of losing a school community easy. 

This is one of the most difficult decisions our district has faced, and as district leaders we know it is deeply personal for our students, staff and families. It is deeply personal for us, too. We all either have a child who has attended, currently attends or will soon attend our schools.  

At the same time, we have a responsibility to make difficult decisions today that will keep our district financially strong for the students, staff and taxpayers we serve both today and tomorrow. 

As this process continues, we are committed to listening, answering questions and treating every school community with the honesty, respect and care it deserves.