TERRE HAUTE —
A proposal to reorganize Turkey Run and Rockville school districts into one district now goes to the respective school boards for consideration.
A committee presented the reorganization plan Monday night at a meeting attended by school board members from both districts. About 22 citizens attended the meeting at Turkey Run Junior-Senior High School.
The committee adopted the plan, and the next step is for the two boards to adopt identical resolutions approving the plan. Each board must have two readings of the resolution and a public hearing, officials say.
If both boards approve the resolution, voters still have the final say through a referendum. Voters in each district would ultimately have to approve a reorganization plan by a majority vote in the November general election.
The major driving factors are enrollment declines and reduced state funding. Rockville’s enrollment in 1973 was 1,080 students, while this year it is 760. Turkey Run’s enrollment was 896 in 1973, while this year it is 497.
The two districts together have taken a nearly $900,000 hit in state funding cuts in just the past year, said Tom Rohr, Turkey Run superintendent.
Among those asking questions was Mark Ramsay, who lives in the Turkey Run district. He had concerns that those from the Rockville district could dominate the new reorganized school district, since it has a greater population.
The new board would have three representatives from each of the current school districts, as well as one at-large board member. “It may not be equal representation,” Ramsay said.
He also suggested, “Maybe we’re rushing into a marriage before we’ve had enough courtship.”
At one point in the discussion, Rohr said the decision should be made “based on what’s best for students in the long run.”
Now, the districts have limited curriculum offerings at the high school level, which is hurting some students as they go on to college, Rohr said.
Among those attending the meeting was Turkey Run Elementary teacher Roberta Hobbs, who said she supports reorganization.
“I think it’s a good idea because our goal is to give students the academics they need so they are prepared for college,” she said. “It’s harder to service them when we’re so small with the Advanced Placement courses and the higher level courses that they need.”
Kathy Jones, also a Turkey Run Elementary teacher, agreed with Hobbs. “It’s not maybe something we all want to have happen, but it’s something that’s necessary now to keep up with the times,” she said.
If approved by voters, the new school corporation would take effect Jan. 1, 2013. The district’s new name would be North Central Parke Community School Corp. No schools would close or merge, and they would keep the same names, mascots and school colors.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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