The History of IMPACT
In 1974, House Bill 474 established funding for Gifted at 50% reimbursement. The Independence Gifted Program was created in 1978. At that time teachers traveled to each school to provide services. Henri Goettel was the first director until 1996. In 1983, a gifted center was formed at William Southern Elementary School. IMPACT has been located at Hanthorn, Alton, UMKC, Spring Branch, William Southern, Sycamore, and Santa Fe Trail. Currently the program is located at Blackburn Elementary.