143-year-old Indiana school to close

KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. (WISH) - A historic Indiana school will shut its doors at the end of the school year.

On Wednesday, the state announced plans to close the Indiana Soldier and Sailors Children's Home. According to the State Department of Health, the school costs too much to operate and has achieved poor ISTEP scores.

The Soldiers and Sailors Children's Home was founded in 1865. It caters to at risk children. The home currently has 114 students in grades 5 to 12. The class of 2009 is expected to graduate just 18 children.

Last year, the state spent $10.2 million to run the school. The cost of educating a student was just over $91,000 each year. According to the state, over the past nine school years, the ISTEP scores at the home have consistently been well below the state average.

"When we look at the performance of the students and the ISTEP scores. They are about half of what the state average is," said Dr. Judith Monroe, State Health Commissioner.

The buildings on campus were also part of the equation. While historic Lincoln Hall boasts stained glass from the 1890's, other buildings are crumbling in place. To renovate and modernize the campus, the State estimates it would cost between $65 and $200 million.

The announcement to close the school has upset many in the community. The Home's Alumni Association wants it kept open.

"It kinda devastated me because I know what this place has done for thousands of people. It makes better moms, better dads out of people," said Doug Jordan, Alumnus.

The students that don't graduate this year will end up attending schools in their local school districts.

"Over the next semester each student will be looked at individully to see what their needs are, what their home environment is and it will be determined what course of action should take place," said Dr. Monroe.

The decision to shut down the school was made after a three-year evaluation and assessment of the home. Besides high costs and low ISTEP results, the state said the school lacked a clear mission and admission policies.