education

Library officials say the library is shifting toward digital resources. It has been weeding out materials that are outdated or available in other formats, or ones that have not been checked out in over a decade.

Out of 157,000 students who participated in Poetry Out Loud this school year, Wichita East High senior Ismail Saeed is one of 55 who advanced to the national finals in Washington, D.C. The winner gets $20,000.

As kindergarten becomes more academically intense, some schools in Wichita are incorporating self-directed free play — known among educators as purposeful play — into the daily schedule as a way to enhance learning and teach social skills.

Wichita school board members want an online dashboard where residents can easily track major capital projects. They hope to clarify the district's overall building needs, which were at issue during a recent failed bond campaign.

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson urged districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for snow days. He is also proposing half-day summer school for young students who are struggling in reading and math.

A final tally of votes in the Feb. 25 special election show opponents edging bond supporters by only 319 votes. Wichita school district leaders say they plan to regroup and consider next steps.

Families at four Wichita schools that will close say they are concerned that the community fostered in the buildings will be lost in the district’s facilities plan.

Unofficial results updated Wednesday by the Sedgwick County election office show bond issue opponents leading by just less than 300 votes, with potentially up to 4,000 mail and provisional ballots still to be counted.

The Wichita school district's proposed $450 million bond issue would build several new schools, close others and reduce the district's overall footprint.

Wichita is asking voters to approve a $450 million bond issue to finance new and upgraded schools. Election Day is Feb. 25.