Shawnee Mission proposes East Antioch Elementary closure; families fight to save it

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — KSHB 41 reporter Elyse Schoenig covers Johnson County. She also focuses on issues surrounding the cost of healthcare, saving for retirement and personal debt. Share your story idea with Elyse.

—

Parents and families of East Antioch Elementary School are pushing back against a proposal by the Shawnee Mission School District to close the school in 2031.

The district notified parents Friday via email of the proposed closure, writing that students would move to nearby Santa Fe Trail Elementary School, which the district hopes to have rebuilt by 2031. The email cited "facilities planning and boundary work" as the reason for the proposed changes.

Monday night's Board of Education meeting will kick off with a public comment session. There will be another meeting on the matter on Sept. 17 before the board's Oct. 26 consideration.

The closure of East Antioch could be part of a larger bond measure that voters could see as early as 2027. The district has cited financial obstacles and declining enrollment as major issues at school board meetings this year.

East Antioch parent Bethany Coon is rallying neighbors to make their voices heard.

"We've got nine weeks to change the board's mind and convince them that this school is worth saving," Coon said. "The numbers might say one thing, but what's best for students and best for the community says a totally different thing."

KSHB 41

For some families, the connection to East Antioch spans generations. Meaghan Schaible is an alumna of the school, as was her mother. Now her own children attend, along with her niece and nephew.

"We planted roots, and they're strong," Schaible said.

Liz Meyer, an alumna and former Shawnee Mission School District teacher, has kids at East Antioch, too. She said she met Schaible, her lifelong friend, at the school.

John Batten / KSHB

"I remember when there [were] some boundary changes, and I, as a fourth grade teacher, had 29 students in my class, as well as the other two fourth grade teachers, and it was detrimental to our students, very difficult on us," Meyer said.

Meyer said she is also concerned about how her children would get to Santa Fe Trail Elementary if East Antioch closes, noting they would have to cross Metcalf Avenue, a busy Overland Park street.

"My husband and I both work," Meyer said. "I don't know what we would do if they couldn't walk to school and walk home. Makes it difficult."

KSHB 41

Meyer said the school's staff is part of what makes it special.

"Teachers that have been here since I was a kid at this school, they stay. There's a reason they stay, and to just take that away is heartbreaking," Meyer said.

More information on the boundary process and public input sessions is available on the district's website.

The Shawnee Mission School District declined an interview request, but a spokesperson provided a statement.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

—