SJSD Board of Education to hold district reorganization hearing

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph School District Board of Education will hold a district reorganization public hearing to discuss options for its facility reconsolidation.

After multiple options were presented to convert SJSD into a two-high school model, the administration is now focusing on two:

• Lafayette and Central High Schools
• Benton/Hyde and Central model

Other alternative options considered in reconsolidation discussions were a Benton and Lafayette model and a one-school Central model.

SJSD ruled out the Benton/Lafayette model due to insufficient capacity, the requirement of major conditions and parking concerns.

The total optimum capacity of the Benton/Lafayette model would be 2,134, compared to the total of 2,878 high school students in the district.

For the one-school Central model, the high school's total maximum capacity is 1,732, which would not support the 2,878 high school students. Its solo use would require major additions and would be considered the largest high school in the state, with almost 500 more students than Blue Springs High School.

According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, SJSD's K-12 enrollment rate was 10,156 during the 2023-2024 school year. The number is down from 10,732 during the 2019-2020 school year.

According to the SJSD School Board Policy Manual, the board may permanently or temporarily close, consolidate or reorganize a school for any of the reasons below:

• Efficiency- enrollment has declined, or the space in the facilities isn't being used efficiently.
• Physical condition of building- if the physical condition makes continued operation of the site cost-prohibitive or continued occupancy is unsafe.
• Alternative use of school facilities- the board may close a school to use its facilities for other programmatic or educational purposes.
• Change in education focuses- closure, consolidation or reorganization may be necessary to address educational needs, such as implementing new curricula or programs.

When it comes to SJSD's process for school closings, consolidations and reorganizations, the BOE will convene a hearing, or a series of hearings, to get public comment.

During the public comment period, the BOE will allow three minutes for each speaker; no individual will be permitted to speak more than once during this period, discussion will be limited to facilities and district reorganization and all speakers must provide their names and address before speaking.

The district reorganization public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, at Benton High School.