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St. Elmo's - always a favorite with celebrities and VIPs - is the center of the …
Updated: Wednesday, 07 Jan 2009, 7:33 PM EST
Published : Wednesday, 07 Jan 2009, 1:09 PM EST
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.
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