Community voices intensify as St. Joseph awaits final school reorganization vote
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- After six months of bouncing between different reorganization plans, St. Joseph residents are expressing exhaustion.
For months now, the big question around town has been which plan the school board will finally choose and put into action. Residents know, no single plan will make every person happy, but the long wait for clarity is starting to wear on families, students and staff more than ever.
At the most recent public hearing, community members didn’t hold back. Many shared just how emotionally draining this process has been.
Lt. Col. David L. Jones, vice president of the St. Joseph National Education Association, urged the board to recognize how painful this has been across the district.
Jones shared his opinion, as Benton High School's future was on the line for a period of time, before the SJSD School Board began reviewing other options.
“I think, you know, many people have the sentiment or the feeling. It's almost like a terrorist act on the South Side, their very heart and souls are being ripped out of their community,” Jones said.
He pushed the board to choose a plan that causes the least disruption for families and kids who are just trying to get through the school year.
Sophomore Chloe Strong from Benton High School also stepped up to the mic. She pleaded for the board to adopt plan 4BR — a plan she said connects deeply with her family’s legacy.
“I am confused how we got here. Just when we thought the board was listening to the students and the families around St. Joe, just to wind up here again. Now all we can do is plead tonight to tell you we need a decision to be made,” Strong added.
Another voice came from 2006 Lafayette graduate and current Benton cheer coach, Becky Hill, who argued the district must keep all three high schools open and return to the community-built Plan E.
Hill said if it hadn’t been for cheerleading at Lafayette, she never would’ve found the sense of belonging she needed during those years. Now that she’s back in the district, coaching at Benton, she said that same connection is what helps her bond with her own students.
“Growing up, I came from a low-income background, and my family didn’t have money for the cheer lessons. If Lafayette had not existed, I would have never had the chance to cheer,” Hill said.
Parents also weighed in. Jackie Kiger urged the board to slow down, take a breath and rethink what’s at stake — not just for buildings, but for kids.
“I ask you to please stop this madness. For some of these kids, this is the only family and safe place they have. Think about their mental health and the overall well-being of all of our students,” Kiger said.
Following Wednesday's public comment session, the board agreed it would move on to vote on Plan 4BR, which would retain Benton and Central as high schools, but would move Lafayette to a middle school.
The board has reviewed 14 different plans, which include different high school model examples.
SJSD families, students and staff have dealt with the back-and-forth and high emotions associated with the decision and the pressure the board has with choosing which model will best suit the district.
The board is expected to take a vote on Monday, Nov. 24.
