Warren Twp. plan would cut, combine schools

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - More school cuts in Marion County could be on the way. During the Warren Township School Board meeting, officials discussed ways to reduce the district's budget by four million dollars.

School officials are considering closing two elementary schools. Exactly which schools has not yet been announced.

Other cuts include changing the district's grade configuration, meaning K-4 at the elementary level, 5-8 at the middle school level and 9-12 at the high school and dividing the middle schools into two schools within a school -- grades 5 and 6 in an intermediate wing and grades 7 and 8 in a middle school wing.

The plan would also require all schools to operate within one calendar. Right now, there is one middle school and four elementary schools that are on a year-round calendar.

School officials said there will have to be some staff cuts and pay freezes too.

"We believe, through some of the consolidations, we'll lose some teaching positions. Plus, we have to lose some teaching positions where we've lost enrollment. We've lost most of our enrollment the last two years in grades 6 through 12, so we'll look at some reduction there," Superintendent Peggy Hinkley said.

Jennifer Gibbs a parent of four added.

"It's very concerning. My five-year-old, she's in pre-school and we're sitting in line to pick up my other child and she said ‘Mommy, I have to hurry up and grow up.’ And I said, ‘Why is that?’ She said, ‘If I don't, I might not get to go to Moorhead.’ So that was really a jaw dropping moment for me," said Gibbs.

Superintendent Hinkley also said the district must make the cuts due to Governor Daniels’ statewide reductions in school funding.

There will be a similar meeting on March 8 and then the final decision will be made on March 17.