The Shawnee Mission School District is proposing new boundaries for the 2018-2019 school year and asking parents to weigh in.
Mike and Lynda Barrett have a son with autism in first grade at Shawanoe Elementary School.
"We've seen a huge difference from the time he started. He wasn't communicating much and now he talks all the time," Lynda said. "He's just like any other kid. You wouldn't be able to tell he was any different from a regular kid."
Suzanne Congrove has two kids at Benninghoven right now. Their school would change.
"Neighborhoods are being split up. We're going to be sent to a feeder elementary school," Congrove said. "I was one that was raised in one school my entire life and I still have friends from kindergarten. I'm going to be 40 next year. So I want my kids to experience that."
Shawnee Mission Superintendent Jim Henson attended the meeting. He tells 41 Action News construction projects in the city were considered, especially with some bringing hundreds of homes to the area.
"When they say we love our school, that's what we want to hear but we also understand there are growing pains that are occurring in buildings," Hinson shared.
The superintended went on to say, "Anytime you have boundary changes, emotions involved in it, it's a very very painful process. If we had our way, we wouldn't be doing this."
In the first of two public meetings, school principals talked directly with parents in small groups.
"I just think that they need to listen to us and I don't feel like this is an opportunity where they're getting a full understanding of that," Congrove said. "I understand that the district has a hard job but at the same time they need to be listening to the parents."
Read the full list of boundary changes proposed here.
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Dia Wall can be reached at dia.wall@kshb.com.
