WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - “They didn't listen to our hearts, they were just in one ear out the other,” said Ruth Lehman, Cleveland parent. 

Lehman explains the sentiment many Wichita parents feel after the school board voted 5-2 on Monday night to close six schools. Two magnet schools and four neighborhood schools will close following that decision. 

“They have broken our trust for a mere 16.6 million dollars,” said Lehman. 

“We talk a lot about numbers but we understand that behind those numbers, behind the budget number, behind even the redistribution of students or the way that we’re assigning students and families, we try to be as methodical as possible as a part of this process. No one likes closing schools-bottom line,” said Fabián Armendáriz, USD 259 operations director. 

Armendáriz has been working for the Wichita district for 24 years and says this has been the most challenging project he’s ever been a part of. 

 “Because we understand the impact to the system and to families,” said Armendáriz. 

Parents of students that attend the six schools that are closing should receive a letter in the mail in preparation for the transition listing the options for other schools their children can attend based on newly drawn boundaries. 

Those parents will also receive an online intent form from the district soon and must turn in that form by April 8, 2024. 

For parents who wish to apply their students to a magnet school, March 22 is the application deadline. 

Families that wish to special transfer into another neighborhood school outside of the new boundaries must also apply for that transfer by April 8. 

Some parents have chosen to start the petition process in response to the news of the school closures. They would need to collect approximately 10,000 verified registered voter signatures in the next 45 days in order for the State Board of Education to review it. 

“Unfortunately, we checked the bylaws. We are not allowed to do this electronically. We can only do it door to door because we have to verify the authenticity of the signatures on the paper,” said Lehman. 

KAKE spoke with the general counsel to the Kansas Department of Education who clarified no state agency can limit what local school boards do when it comes to closing schools. The state board can issue an opinion and request public comment and a revote, but the individual local district board has the final say.    

If you still have questions the district says you can call the parent support center Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 316-368-8008. You can also email [email protected]