LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (KCTV) – On Tuesday night, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District held a PTA meeting to discuss consolidating Lee’s Summit Elementary School and Westview Elementary School. The district says avoiding school closures is the best option, but many in the community aren’t happy.

“This plan was submitted as ‘the plan,’ and as far as we know, pretty quickly,” said one of Lee’s Summit Elementary teachers. “My question is: why aren’t alternative plans presented for the community to talk about?”

Ahead of the meeting, KCTV spoke with Superintendent David Buck, who said the district had three options given declining enrollment: doing nothing, which could result in increased class sizes and decreased services, according to Buck. The second option would be to close a school, which Buck says would divide families in the area.

The last and best option, he said, would be to pass a bond proposal that would allow the district to renovate Westview Elementary School to accommodate both school populations. If approved, the bond proposal will go before voters next year.

“Why are we in such a hurry?” asked one parent at Tuesday’s meeting. “Why don’t we have the dignity of a good plan here in Westview? Why can’t we see the dignity of a good plan at Lee’s Summit Elementary School?”

READ MORE: ‘This is tough’: Lee’s Summit chief says possible merger could save schools from closure

The feeling that the plan was rushed was one of the main concerns expressed at Tuesday’s meeting.

“Why weren’t we informed until last week that this was a five-year plan?” asked Lee’s Summit Elementary student Anya. “Why weren’t we told this?”

Superintendent Buck apologized, saying the district should have involved the community sooner.

“I’m sorry I didn’t do that,” Buck said. “I had hope, but it didn’t come true.”

The district has posted frequently asked questions and answers on its page. website last week.

The district said the $225 bond proposal has been submitted to the Citizens Advisory Committee, and the committee will make its final recommendation at next week’s meeting. The bond proposal will then go to the Board of Education; The district wants action at its Dec. 19 meeting. If approved, it will go before voters in April 2025.

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