Parents, Lee’s Summit School District leaders discuss consolidation plans

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Plans to merge the two elementary schools in Lee's Summit is the center of a nearly three hour PTA meeting.

Tuesday night, parents and school district leaders were able to talk about the plans since the plans were released earlier this month.

The meeting took place inside the gym of Lee's Summit Elementary, the school that would close should the merger go through.

The district says enrollment at LSE and Westview schools are declining and are projected to continue to decline.

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Their plan is to merge the schools and renovate Westview, $27,000 that could come from a bond in April if voters approve it.

The crowd made up of teachers staff, parents, voiced their concerns and frustrations to the superintendent and associate superintendent about why they weren't given a chance to give input before this plan came out.

Chris Winburn, who plans to send his daughter to LSE next year, says he's thankful for the opportunity to speak Tuesday night but the lasting impact it could have on the community, still remains uncertain.

"I didn't hear any alternative plans, any alternative suggestions and willingness to work with the community and that was disappointing," Winburn said.

"Our demographer has been with us two and a half decades. You see student enrollment go down even though it might be a vibrant downtown and we are seeing that here with both of these buildings," Superintendent Dr. David Buck said.

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The district says if the merger does not happen and enrollment continues to decline, Lee's Summit Elementary School could still have to close in the future or they will have to reduce staff.

There's still a little over a month before a decision will be made whether to include these plans on the April bond issue.