New plans for two former elementary schools in Wichita

The Wichita school board voted Monday to approve the sale of two former schools in the district.

The Classical School of Wichita is buying the former Clark Elementary school for $600,000, and DLK Enterprise is buying the former Payne Elementary school for $415,000 for the related Pyxis Inc.

Tim Dernlan, head of school for the K-12 Classical School, said he’s thankful to the district, the superintendent and God for the opportunity to acquire Clark Elementary at 650 S. Apache Dr. just north of Lincoln between Woodlawn and South Rock Road.

“It’s been about 10 years that we’ve needed more space,” he said.

Dernlan said the 20-year-old Classical School is part of a classical Christian renewal of education and is part of a network of 1,000 schools nationally.

Currently, the school rents space from Heartland Community Church for its almost 500 students.

“We’ve maximized our space,” Dernlan said.

The school also has purchased three houses near the church for extra classroom space. Dernlan expects to move to the former Clark Elementary in early October.

“We’ll fill that up right away,” he said of seventh through 12th grade classrooms.

Next week, the Classical School is closing on a purchase of 48 acres near 45th and Hillside for future expansion as it continues to growth 8% to 9% a year.

“So Lord willing, we can come back together as a K through 12 campus sometime in the future,” Dernlan said. “Our board is really good about being visionary and securing our future.”

Pyxis, which is a community-based mental health provider, is moving its headquarters from near Seneca and Harry to the former Payne Elementary at 1601 S. Edwards St. just south of Harry and east of Meridian.

“I’m excited what it’s going to become,” said president Mike Kriwiel of the new space.

He said Pyxis works with a lot of partners, including providing day services for EmberHope, a foster care provider.

Kriwiel’s DLK Enterprise is the property management company that will own the former school and rent space to Pyxis and to other nonprofit providers who work in the community health space.

The new headquarters will help strengthen the health of the community, Kriwiel said

“We are excited about being in the neighborhood.”