Birth rate

USD 417 in Kansas is considering closing Prairie Heights Elementary School in Alta Vista, citing declining elementary enrollment, roughly 50% facility utilization, and budget pressures tied to underfunded special education and high per-pupil costs. The school serves 72 students from kindergarten through sixth grade, with seven teachers and a half-time principal. A public hearing is set for Nov. 4 at Council Grove Junior Senior High School before any final decision. Alta Vista Mayor Ryan Armbrust, backed by a unanimous city council statement, is urging the board to slow down, arguing the review has been rushed and that closure could harm property values, the tax base, and the broader community.