GARNETT — Following a failed effort to reverse course, Greeley Elementary will officially close. According to The Anderson County Review, the USD 365 Board voted 4-2 Thursday night to approve the school’s closing.
The meeting followed a months-long process that began with district listening sessions last year and a December 2025 board vote to schedule a public hearing.
The board voted in January to close the school, but opponents then submitted a petition for administrative review to the Kansas State Board of Education in February. The review supported the board’s decision to move ahead with the closing.
Over the years, various USD 365 boards have made efforts to close the school since a 1987 district-wide vote chose 2-1 to keep it open.
Superintendent Ryan Most recapped at Thursday’s meeting the financial evaluation process and study that led to the decision to close the school. He told attendees that Greeley had 34 kindergarten through sixth grade students as of May 19, with 17 living in Garnett, 16 in Greeley and one out-of-district student.
Most noted that prior-year expenditures for the school were just over $1.3 million.
The district’s presentation framed the closure discussion around community requests to hold the property tax mill levy steady or lower as valuations rise, while also addressing competitive staff salaries, facility improvements, early learning, intervention supports, career and technical education offerings, transportation, safety and other district priorities.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly emotional and opposed to the closure.
