‘All the things that obstruct learning’: Inside schools Wichita bond issue would rebuild
Editor’s note: Before voters decide on a $450 million school bond issue on Feb. 25, The Eagle is profiling many of the schools affected. Find continuing coverage of the bond issue election here.
The biggest expense in the Wichita school district’s $450 million bond issue is the plan to rebuild seven schools.
Those buildings — Adams, Black, Caldwell, Irving and McLean elementaries and Coleman and Truesdell middle schools — range in age from 59 to 84 years. They have small classrooms, leaky roofs and foundations, safety and accessibility issues and other problems.
Asked what she would want voters to know, Caldwell teacher Kim Williams said it’s important that residents do their research before deciding.
“Just as a walk-through view, the building appears to be usable and fine,” she said. “... If you’re in it every single day, then you see all the different things that obstruct learning.”
The rebuilds are expected to cost $287.5 million, according to data provided by the school district.
Some of the rebuilt schools would welcome students from four elementary schools that will be closed as part of the district’s facility master plan.
With the bond issue, the district also plans to convert two elementary schools to K-8, consolidate alternative learning programs and build a new early childhood center, a new Future Ready Center for Trades at East High School and new athletic fields at Northeast High School.
Voters within the Wichita school district will decide the issue on Feb. 25.
Here are profiles of each of the seven schools that would be rebuilt:
Adams Elementary
Lack of classrooms, inaccessible building: Why Wichita seeks to rebuild Adams Elementary
Black Traditional Magnet Elementary
Flooded classrooms, combined gym-lunchroom: Why Black Elementary is on Wichita ballot
Caldwell Elementary
Cold classrooms, leaky ceilings: Why rebuilding Wichita’s Caldwell school is on the ballot
Irving Elementary
Dated infrastructure, cramped classrooms: Why Wichita seeks to rebuild Irving Elementary
McLean Science and Technology Magnet
Small building and little storage: Why rebuilding Wichita’s McLean is on the ballot
Truesdell Middle
Flooded hallways, ADA accessibility: Why Wichita seeks to rebuild Truesdell Middle School
Coleman Middle
Pie-shaped buildings, small classrooms: Why rebuilding Wichita’s Coleman is on the ballot
This story was originally published February 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM.