Wichita Public Schools is closing Chester I. Lewis Academic Learning Center at the end of the fall semester after a recently identified structural issue raised immediate safety concerns. Families will have a chance to hear more and ask questions at a Community Informational Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Tabernacle Bible Church.
The meeting is expected to draw strong community interest—not only about the mid-year relocation, but also about the district’s long-term plans for the future of the building and the land at 1847 N. Chautauqua.
Mid-Year Move Over Winter Break
District officials confirmed that Chester Lewis students and staff will relocate over Christmas break to the former Cleveland Elementary School, located at 3345 W. 33rd St. South. Classes are expected to resume there on Jan. 5.
According to the district, a building engineer uncovered a foundation problem during routine inspections—part of a new effort to evaluate aging buildings after structural issues were found previously at North and East High Schools.
“Following the structural issues discovered over the past few years… we began routine inspections,” said Dr. Steve Noble, Chief Operations Officer, in an email to staff. “A building engineer discovered structural issues at Chester Lewis that require significant repairs. Out of an abundance of caution… we are choosing to vacate this building over winter break.”
Building Was Already Slated for Closure
USD 259 spokesperson Susan Arensman said the district had already planned to close the building as part of its long-range facilities master plan.
“This was a building slated for closure anyway,” she said. “We weren’t going to take the time or money to repair the building.”
Other programs housed in the building will also be relocated.
• Pre-K/ECO team → Joyce Focht Instructional Support Center, 412 S. Main
• Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CLD) team → Jackson Elementary, 2717 N. Woodlawn
Arensman emphasized that while the building is stable for now, the district does not want students or staff to remain in it longer than necessary. Transportation services for qualifying students will continue as usual.
Community Wants Answers About What Comes Next
Many families and neighborhood leaders are expected to raise questions about what will happen to the site once Chester Lewis is vacated—especially since the district has confirmed it does not intend to invest in repairs.
The Dec. 4 meeting at Tabernacle Bible Church is the district’s primary opportunity to explain the transition and address community concerns.