Anderson considers closing four schools

[Palehorse]

ANDERSON, Ind. -- Four elementary schools would be closed in the Anderson Community Schools under a proposal to pare down a budget deficit the central Indiana district is facing.

The district's top administrator also proposed either closing one of the district's two high schools or converting both into schools with grades seven through 12.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091015/NEWS04/910150487/Anderson+considers+closing+four+schools

WTF???? Take a building and campus that was specifically built for learning, and move the operation into a building that was specifically built for basketball, and costs in excess of 250k / year to maintain.
(Yeah the Wigwam)

Keep on a plethora of surly, lethargic, rat fink political pundits to screw up everyone's utility bills and steal them blind, but close the frigging schools?

Not to mention the public slackers, errr. . . workers that you see cruising around town every day. . .

This morning WTHR (Channel13) aired this story complete with the list of schools on the cut list, but it is nowhere to be found at the HB site, which WTHR used as the source for their story. . . Wonder why?

Yeah, the future of this city holds a long term stay by a group of federal employees, sent here to uncover and prosecute the corrupt officials and workers and put an end to the robbery of its citizens. I may not be around to see it happen, but its coming! 

[Tobi Jones]

Palehorse, I am not sure that I understand what you are saying.

There was no part of any proposal to move any classes to the gym.  Any classes taking place at the building often referred to as "The Wigwam" are taking place in rooms specifically built for education, while the gym portion of the building is used for gym type activities.
Also, I'm sure that you know this, and your comments were simply part of a larger vent, but the ones who have control over your tax rates and utility rates and such have no control over the schools, or vice versa.

I will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about the options presented to the board and any future actions.

[Palehorse]

It just demonstrates the inability of leadership within every area of present City government, to make informed choices that are fiscally responsible, socially acceptable, and for the best of the future of this city and every citizen within it.

Why close the Ebert center instead of the Wigwam? Why keep the Wigwam open when it is so costly to maintain and has a higher overhead rate? I am all for preserving history, but when doing so comes at the detriment of current quality of life for the citizens I say let the past remain in the past!

[pariann]

Ebbert wasn't closed, Ivy Tech is using it. I believe that they leased or rented the building, if that's the case, it's now creating an income.  Am I wrong?

[Y]

Tobi,

It's a common thing to refer to the entire complex as the 'WigWam'.  It's, at least, been that way since the days I started at Central Jr. High in the early 60's not long after it was constructed.

[Y]

WTF???? Take a building and campus that was specifically built for learning, and move the operation into a building that was specifically built for basketball, and costs in excess of 250k / year to maintain.
(Yeah the Wigwam)...

The complex, i.e.: the WigWam, was not built specifically for basketball.

The complex contained:

Cafeteria

Food Services

Band Rooms

Theater size Stage

Olympic size pool

PE facilities

Locker rooms and showers for PE classes.

Auto Shop

...and other class facilities that I don't recall.  At the time it was quite the state of the art educational facility.

[Y]

Ebbert wasn't closed, Ivy Tech is using it. I believe that they leased or rented the building, if that's the case, it's now creating an income.  Am I wrong?

Either that or ACSC sold the building to ITC.  Tobi should be able to clarify it.

[Y]

It just demonstrates the inability of leadership within every area of present City government, to make informed choices that are fiscally responsible, socially acceptable, and for the best of the future of this city and every citizen within it...

I tend to agree with you, PH.

I'm deeply disappointed with the ACSC, the School Board - including Tobi.

The school system is in the middle of a perfect storm which affords them the opportunity to throw out all preconceived notions and remake the entire educational system in Anderson from basically the ground up into something workable and productive.

Will they do it?  Obviously not. 

The press releases, news stories, and board minutes - along with the 'contributions' to the <cough-cough> 'debate' by 'local' idiot frauds on KPutzia (I don't know why anyone thinks a serious and productive discussion on important issues like the school situation etc. can be had at any site online that doesn't have a policy against socks and enforces it - hell, you might as well just let anonymous guests snipe without such a policy and enforcement - but I digress and that's a topic for another rant.), and even Tobi's comment there - show that pre-conceived notions and agendas are going to rule the day.

And neither the citizens nor the students are going to be any better off for it.

[Tobi Jones]

I understand that "The Wigwam" typically referrs to the entire complex, however, not everyone is on that same page.  Many people say "The Wigwam" and refer to the gym only, I don't know what they call the classrooms and the rest of the building.

IVY Tech has a 5 year lease on Ebbert.

Y, I hear what you are saying, and I understand why you feel that way.  If I could take just a moment to explain myself.

Everyone knows that there are serious differences between different buildings within ACS.  IF we believe that those differences are bad and IF we want each child to have the same opportunities and IF we believe that we need to change things from the ground up, THEN...

Maintaining what we have, or anything that looks like it isn't going to cut it.  I am in favor of one high school with emphasis on AP classes, remedial classes for those who need it, using the alternative/vocational school to the maximum of its capacity, taking a strong stand on discliplne and expectations with students and parents and staff.

I am in favor of one middle schools with emphasis on getting these students ready for high school, perhaps even treating it like a very controlled high school (even with similar extra curricular activities), and training them for what will be expected at the next step. 



I am in favor of intermediate schools with higher expectations than the primary schools.  Building on what was learned there while taking them to the next step.

I am in favor of primary schools with a focus on literacy and basic math and interpersonal relationships.  Lets teach the students (and parents) what the world will expect of them while they are young and eager to learn.  No child with the ability to learn will leave this primary school unless they are reading on grade level.

How is that plan not reinventing ACSC?  In addition if somehow we can get a majority of parents to get on board and work with the schools (and I understand, get the schools more willing to work with the parents) what could stop ACSC and Anderson as a whole.

[Anne]

Tobi, Although I no longer have children or grandchildren in the Anderson school system, I do pay property taxes. I think you are on the right track. In a perfect world I would choose small grade schools withing walking distance of most school children, but even I know that is not feasible. I think one high school, a separate middle school (or a middle school 6-8 and a separate 9th grade school) and K-2 and 3-5 is the best option in this day and age. I don't know when parents lost interest in the schools but they need to be more involved and not just go to say my perfect child can't do anything wrong. We need to hold the kids to a higher standard, esp. if their parents won't. Of course this is just a senior citizen's opinion.

[Palehorse]

I understand that "The Wigwam" typically referrs to the entire complex, however, not everyone is on that same page.  Many people say "The Wigwam" and refer to the gym only, I don't know what they call the classrooms and the rest of the building.

I was referring to the entire complex - for clarity.

IVY Tech has a 5 year lease on Ebbert.

. . .

I fail to see the strategy surrounding the leasing of the Ebbert Center, unless of course it was an end run undertaken to "save the wigwam". What was once accomplished at the Ebbert is being undertaken at the wigwam, but still the price of maintaining the gym portion of this property likely far outweighs any potential financial benefit being realized by the leasing of the Ebbert. If we are lucky its a wash and I doubt that very much.

What useful purpose does the wigwam (specifically the gym portion) serve in this community other than to serve as a black hole into which the city pours funding? Wouldn't the city be better served in selling off the entire complex, (more marketable to potential business owners)?

Finally some folks in this city are talking about making cuts to live within our means in this city. But will they actually listen and do these things? I doubt it. Not as long as they can dip into our pockets with both hands!