The Wichita Public Schools Board of Education approved the sale of Clark and Payne Elementary Schools during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 8.
According to a news release, Clark Elementary School, 1900 W. 55th St., was sold to Wichita Classical School to be used for their upper campus for grades 7 – 12. The school currently has ties to the community in the school’s neighborhood. Wichita Classical School plans to begin renovation immediately and to use the school as early as January. The cost of the sale was $600,000.
Payne Elementary School, 1601 S. Edwards, was sold to Pyxis, Inc. They provide mental health, foster care support and other support services to children in the community. The sale will allow the organization to expand their services. Pyxis, Inc. will begin renovation immediately and plans to move into the building within 6 months. The cost of the sale is $415,000.
WPS engaged its Real Estate Sale Committee, made up of district employees, business owners and community members from the Clark and Payne neighborhoods to evaluate the proposals for the buildings’ purchases. They looked at criteria including community impact, intended use, price, long-term benefits and project timeline.
Clark and Payne were closed at the end of the 23-24 school year to help reduce budget expenditures and facility maintenance backlog, while also supporting long-term planning of what district facilities could be in the future and right-sizing the district as student populations continue to shift and change.
