McPherson School District Faces Declining Enrollment, Plans Community Input Sessions on Facility Consolidation
Long-range planning process projects 110-student decrease by 2030 as district grapples with underutilized buildings and rising operational costs
MCPHERSON, Kan - McPherson USD 418 will hold two all-community sessions Wednesday, October 22, at the McPherson Museum to present facility consolidation options as the district confronts projected enrollment declines and underutilized buildings over the next five years.
The sessions, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., follow an ongoing Facilities Master Planning Committee meeting process examining how the district can better align its physical infrastructure with shrinking student populations.
District enrollment is projected to decrease by 110 students by the 2029-30 school year, according to documents provided to citizen journal by USD 418. Elementary enrollment is expected to drop by 30 students, middle school enrollment by 30 students, and high school enrollment by 50 students.
A functional capacity analysis forecast conducted by Incite Design Studios reveals significant underutilization challenges at multiple buildings.
The enrollment decline stems from multiple demographic factors affecting the district's ability to maintain current student populations. Decreasing live births per year correlate with an overall declining population in the community. Additionally, yield rates have decreased, indicating fewer students are being generated by the district's existing housing inventory—a trend officials attribute to an aging community.
District projections show high school grades are larger than elementary grades, creating a pattern of loss as graduating classes exit without being fully replaced by incoming kindergarten cohorts. Historical enrollment data shows the district has experienced steady decline since approximately 2018, when total enrollment exceeded 2,400 students.
The current facilities configuration has become oversized for actual enrollment, making operations increasingly expensive for the district. Maintaining underutilized buildings requires heating, cooling, staffing, and maintenance costs that strain district resources.
Facility condition assessments reveal most district buildings rate between C and C+ for overall condition and adequacy.
District officials have emphasized the importance of community input throughout the planning process. The Facilities Master Planning Committee has been meeting regularly to analyze enrollment projections, facility conditions, and operational costs before developing potential consolidation scenarios. Wednesday's presentations represent a critical phase in the process, moving from internal committee work to broader community engagement.
The McPherson Museum, located at 1111 E Kansas Ave, will host both sessions. Community members are encouraged to attend either session to review proposed options and provide feedback that will inform the district's final facility recommendations.
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