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State considers possible closing of Kansas School for the Deaf

State considers possible closing of Kansas School for the Deaf

Chamber, other business leaders testify in support of KSD

Slumping tax revenues and troubling budget deficits are forcing Kansas leaders to consider drastic cuts to the state’s expenditures. Among the state-operated facilities facing possible closure is Olathe ’s Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD).

The Governor’s Closure and Realignment Commission, an 11-member panel appointed earlier this year by then Governor Kathleen Sebelius, will continue to meet this fall and will submit a recommendation to Governor Mark Parkinson by Dec. 1 regarding the disposition of the school. The Governor will then decide whether or not to convey the recommendation to the Kansas legislature for consideration.

According to Dr. Bob Maile, KSD superintendent, it appears the Closure and Alignment Commission is focusing on how to keep the school open but with lower operating costs. It is considering cost-saving measures such as combining the state’s deaf and blind schools. Maile doesn’t expect a specific answer until the end of the year.

In addition to examining cost savings, the commission is also charged with studying the impact such changes would have on clients and families, as well as the availability and quality of alternative services.

The Commission is chaired by Rochelle Chronister, former Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services and a former state House member. Others facilities facing scrutiny by her commission include Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility, state developmental disability hospitals and Rainbow Mental Health Facility in Kansas City, Kan.

Maile has been working vigorously to help the commission understand the crucial – and irreplaceable – role KSD plays in educating deaf children. In the commission’s first meeting at the school, a number of business and community leaders joined with KSD staff to testify about the school’s importance to Olathe and to the state. Among them was Chamber President Frank Taylor , Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pat All.

Maile describes KSD as a “statewide center on deafness” that fills a role for deaf and hard of hearing children that local school districts cannot.

“The Kansas School for the Deaf provides a 24-hour-a-day, barrier-free communication environment in which deaf students can communicate with every person they encounter—from the classroom and cafeteria, to the dormitories and athletic fields,” he said. “It allows deaf students to function and act like ‘normal’ people.”

In contrast, even the best public schools—those that have funding and personnel to assist deaf students—can’t offer the same type of educational environment provided by KSD.

“Even in a good situation at the local school district, a deaf student’s communication is limited to their interpreter and teacher,” Maile said.

Should the commission recommend the closing of KSD, the need to accommodate the educational needs of deaf students won’t simply disappear. The burden—and much of the associated costs— would likely shift to school districts across the state, including the Olathe School District . Deaf education would, in effect, be de-centralized within the state. The extra costs would add to the budget shortfalls most school districts are already facing because of the economy. State funds would still be invested, but without the efficiencies of the centralized KSD campus.

Maile says that if KSD is closed, the availability of services for deaf and hearing impaired students would most certainly be decreased.

“Closing (KSD) would be a step backward,” Maile said. “For students from central and western Kansas , where there is no population base of deaf students, the effect would be catastrophic. Even if these districts had the money, they can’t find qualified interpreters and personnel to teach in those areas.”

Larger metropolitan areas such as Kansas City and Wichita have larger populations of deaf people resulting in the ability to provide proper educational resources within the local districts, Maile said, but even these students would be limited by the lack of a barrier-free education.

“Federal law has a continuum of options for students with disabilities,” Maile said, “and a special school is one of the mandated options. There was never an intention to force all students to accept one option, but rather to pick which one fits best.”

KSD’s impact on the community

With 140 employees and an operating budget of $9.5 million, KSD is a significant economic force in the community, and its closure would certainly be felt in Olathe . 

“KSD is larger than the vast majority of the Olathe Chamber’s member businesses,” said L. Franklin Taylor , president of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. “Its impact is felt at a significant level by the business community and local government.”

Taylor said the Chamber is also concerned about the impact KSD’s possible closure could have on the ability to attract commercial and industrial growth to the city.

“As the fastest growing large city in Kansas , it’s important that Olathe ’s growth be balanced,” Taylor said. “We believe that our number one economic development tool is quality public education, and KSD is an integral part of the education system in Olathe .”

KSD’s contributions to Olathe go beyond dollars and sense, however. Traditionally, state schools for the deaf have served as centers for deaf culture, and KSD is no exception. Since its founding in 1861, KSD has drawn deaf individuals and families to Olathe and the city now boasts a large and thriving deaf community.

“Over the years, many families have moved to Olathe so their children could attend KSD, and they’ve stayed here as contributors to the community. Because of KSD, Olathe has been a center of deaf culture since the school moved to Olathe in 1866.”

Closing KSD would have the effect of eroding the deaf culture in Olathe , diluting support services, and removing an important component that supports Olathe ’s business community, Taylor said.

Maile agrees that the respect and cooperation between Olathe ’s hearing and deaf citizens is vital.

“The deaf community makes a significant contribution to Olathe ,” Maile said, “and it’s not just a matter of the community tolerating its deaf citizens; it’s a real partnership. Olathe is looked upon nationally as one of the most deaf-friendly communities in America .”

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The Olathe Chamber encourages members of the business community to rally around Kansas School for the Deaf and let legislators know the importance of this institution to our community as well as to the education of deaf children. Here’s how you can help:

·         A second public hearing regarding KSD will be conducted on Monday, July 27, at 1 p.m., in room 143N of the State Capitol Building . This hearing is intended to provide an opportunity for people who were unable to speak at the first meeting to testify. If you would like to appear before the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission, e-mail your request to closure.commission@ks.gov.

·         Click here to contact your legislators directly through the Chamber’s web site.