Park Hill updates plan to close Gerner House, PTA to lead clothing center relocation

Park Hill School District officials told the school board on June 11 that the district plans to remove the Gerner House — a longtime location for a PTA clothing center and several special-education life-skills programs — and is working with the PTA on a relocation plan.

At a presentation, district staff said the PTA clothing center was informed in December 2025 that the Gerner House would not remain available beyond Jan. 1, 2029. "We notified them in December of 2025 and right now we're on that second step," a presenter said, describing a PTA-led committee and outreach to potential community partners.

Why it matters: the building is older and staff told the board it is not ADA-compliant and requires maintenance the district judged untenable for continued use. The district framed the work as a partnership with the PTA; it said the PTA — not the district — will decide the clothing center's next permanent location but that staff are participating in the committee and surveying stakeholders to inform options.

District leaders explained how programs currently housed at Gerner House would be reassigned. "Any student who is in the Park Hill High School feeder path is going to utilize the new life skills lab that is being constructed in Park Hill High School Phase 1," a presenter said, adding that Park Hill South already has a lab that the district plans to update to be comparable. Staff said students who are bused to Gerner House would instead be bused to Park Hill High School or Park Hill South, depending on location.

The PTA committee is targeting a transition plan by November 2027 and suggested a summer 2028 move or an August 2028 opening at a new site could align with related demolition and construction at Park Hill High School Phase 1. District staff cautioned dates could change: "These things can still change," a presenter said, and emphasized the district is working beside the PTA rather than making the final decision.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which programs are affected, timing and whether the clothing center itself would be located inside a school building. Staff reiterated the PTA is leading location decisions and that district roles include providing information, surveying stakeholders and identifying potential partner organizations.

Next steps: the PTA committee is expected to continue its work and return recommendations; the district will proceed with construction and demolition schedules connected to Park Hill High School Phase 1 and coordinate special-education relocations as spaces come online.