Nov. 29, 2016 ~ Exciting changes are happening in downtown Olathe. In the same location that education in Olathe began in 1868, a new chapter will soon begin. The district has begun the renovation of the Millcreek Center, 150 S. Water Street, which includes the repurposing of the three existing buildings, including the former John P. St. John Memorial High School. This renovation will allow for the creation of new education and program spaces needed for the district.

The district's SOAR program, an alternative program for grades 8 through 12, will be moved to the Millcreek Center from Prairie Learning Center. This would help to consolidate many of the district's alternative programs into one location and gives more space to the district's therapeutic learning programs that are currently housed at PLC and are in need of additional space.

In addition, Millcreek will become the home for many district programs and services, such as Parents as Teachers, Community Development, the Olathe Public Schools Foundation and any other support staff currently located at the North Lindenwold Support Center. The new Millcreek Center would include valuable professional development conference space for the district as well. With the opening of the renovated Millcreek Center in winter 2017-18, the North Lindenwood building would be sold.

In addition, there would be space available in the building to accommodate expansion and future growth.

"We have vital needs that we need to address and feel that we can accomplish this in a cost-effective way through the renovation of the Millcreek Center," Chief Financial and Operations Officer John Hutchison said. "In the process, we are able to preserve a piece of the history of our community and work closely with the city of Olathe on the revitalization of the downtown area."