November 19, 2009

Wichita school administrators have selected the site for a new elementary school in South Wichita. The new school will be built at the site of Lewis Magnet School, 3030 S. Osage.

A plan was proposed to construct the new school on the site that would serve the current Lewis Magnet program and also serve as a neighborhood school. The Lewis Open Magnet program would be located on the west end of the new school and the neighborhood K-5 on the east, with both programs sharing common spaces including the cafeteria, library and multipurpose room that will also be a safe room.

A meeting was held with Lewis parents and staff about the concept and the response was positive.

USD 259 said there are significant benefits with this modification of the bond plan, including:

· Significant savings in land acquisition because the district won’t have to buy land for the new school

· Savings in the construction of one FEMA safe room, instead of two safe rooms as shown in the original bond plan

· On-going administrative and operational costs savings

· The Lewis program will have a brand-new facility

· Excellent location according to preliminary boundary studies

The concept of the new south elementary school will be presented to
the Board of Education during the November 23 meeting at North High School, starting at 6 p.m.