Shawnee Mission district, Prairie Village have discussed purchase of Somerset, Mission Valley

Prairie Village and Shawnee Mission School District officials have communicated about the possibility of the city purchasing the vacated schools within its limits — but whether the Prairie Village city council is seriously considering a move in that direction is unknown.

City Administrator Quinn Bennion said last week the city had received word from the district that it was moving forward with the sale of the buildings after a unanimous vote by the school board. The district had not, however, given the city a timeline for the sale of the properties.

“It’s more of a courtesy to let us know that this is the direction they’re going,” he said.

Bennion could not confirm that the council had discussed the possibility of purchasing either building, though council has gone into executive session at its past two meetings to discuss the possible acquisition of “real property.”

“At this time, there has been no council action on the possible purchase of either building,” Bennion said. He added that whatever happens with the buildings, the city would place a priority on working with the neighborhoods surrounding the properties to ensure residents had input into their new use.

Asked whether the district and Prairie Village had discussed any formal proposals for the buildings, Assistant Superintendent for Communications Leigh Anne Neal would say only that the district had “been contacted by and had some discussions with potentially interested buyers.”

“At this time, we have been asked to keep those discussions confidential,” she wrote in an email.

A call to Kansas City Christian board chair Allan Chugg regarding his school’s possible interest in either property has not been returned.