Expert says second high school would overtax Lake Central

Font Size:

BY LOUISA MURZYN
Times Correspondent | Monday, January 05, 2009 | (156 comment(s))

SCHERERVILLE | David Dixon firmly believes a second high school for the Lake Central School Corp. would never work, even if it cost nothing.

Dixon, a Dyer resident, speaks from experience as the former superintendent for the School City of Hammond. He retired from Hammond in 2002 after working for 18 years in the school district, which has four high schools and a career center.

"Even if the state of Indiana came in and said �We'll build it for free,' you couldn't afford to replicate your current programs," Dixon said at Lake Central's second referendum task force meeting.

"First, there's no way your general fund could support the staff. Second, the curriculum is what we need to talk about. We can't deny students in one building something we offer in the other. No way. It won't work. It's not a good idea."

Lake Central Superintendent Gerald Chabot offered the task force new calculations showing it would cost $3.6 million per year to operate a second facility. To do that, the district would have to cut current high school programs and increase class size.

Parent Amy Bogenrief agreed it's a challenge and believes some people aren't thinking about potential conflicts inherent in a "north/south" or "east/west" facility configuration similar to school districts in Illinois.

�"It could be very ugly," she said. "Having people jumping lines. There's an emotional part people need to be aware of."

�Kay Trapp was the district's business manager for 30 years and asked opponents if they've actually seen the work done so far.

"I ask if they've paid attention to what's being accomplished rather than just thinking of the dollar sign," Trapp said.

Many people are very supportive of the idea of using the property on Blaine Street as a vocational center, she added.

Chabot reminded listeners that a diversity of opinion is welcomed. "We need to honor the individual viewpoints," he said.

"We may agree or disagree, but we have to be respectful. I sense an increase in passion and rigor. We have to look to the future and what's in the best interests of our students and community."

Kerry Leonard, an architect with OWP/P Architects Inc., said while renovations would increase student capacity to 3,500 students, designers have built flexibility into their model.

The high school could easily fit 200 more with minor changes in class scheduling.

Architect Teri Wright said student safety during construction is imperative.

"The project will be done in bits and pieces, so curriculum and programs continue without disruption," she said. "It would've been easy to turn contractors loose and get it done in two years."

Chabot said plans will be implemented for safety and noise. "It can be done. ... I personally watched it happen. I predict our kids would handle it fine."

COSTS PER SCENARIO
- Renovating the existing high school at $83 million and building a new transportation service center at $12 million would total $95 million. It would cost the average taxpayer about $170 per year.
- Building a new 2,000-student-capacity high school at $125 million, minimally renovating the existing high school at $37 million and building a new transportation service center at $12 million would total $174 million. It would cost the average taxpayer $350 per year.
�- Building a brand-new 4,000-student-capacity high school at $215 million and a new transportation service center at $12 million would total $227 million. It would cost the average taxpayer $533 per year.

Back to story 156 comment(s)

Please note: Comments from readers will be screened and may not be posted immediately. If you don't see your comment perhaps:

It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
It promoted violence or illegal acts.
It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.

In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.

Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.

Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.

If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.

For more information please read our Terms of Service.

Still Interested wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:53 AM:

" I hope this finds everybody safe in the Lake Central school district. I read a lot of great input, questions and points of interest. If multiple options were considered, the school board should have the data to support their recommendation. I am very interested in seeing this data. If not, I believe the community is asking them to perform this research NOW so we don't waste our tax dollars. I think a lot of people believe a second HS with something less than 2500 students is a better solution, however, I am not sure that is the absolute fact either. The point is, until the board steps up and puts a task force together to research and document this, we will never know. And this truly would be the worst mistake for current residents and any potential future resident in my mind. Seeing I am not in the education industry, I would like to know what the key factors are for rating a school. If anyone can point me in that direction, I would appreciate it. I hope the administration at least reffered to this type of information in coming up with their current recommendation. "

Get your FACTS straight wrote on Jan 13, 2009 8:25 AM:

" Then the board should have researched other options & sought out the opinion of the public to see what the majority felt before proceeding. If it was this way, then so be it but they didn't and again, they want to apply another band-aid.
Get a poll out there to see what people want on the referendum so they don't waste the time having to wait for another one - and it is NOT multiple years. Multiple years is what the school board has wasted (since 2006 they say)by not getting this out there.
. "

Re Fact wrote on Jan 13, 2009 6:15 AM:

" This is the problem with how this whole situation is being handled! The only alternative if the referendum fails is portable classrooms? Sounds like a scare tactic to me.
Why didn't the school board research all options? Why didn't they have a "town hall" meeting to discuss with parents and community leaders what path we should follow. You cannot just say that a second school is not feasible due to class offerings. There are smaller schools in the area that have the same number of class offerings as LC. How do they do it... they find a way to do what is best for the kids. Don't use scare tactics like Dr. Chabot and say "if the referendum fails then I will recommend more modulars be put in the parking lots" All I want is for the school board to take it to the people. If the majority of tri-town residents do not support a second school, then fine, but we were NOT given our opportunity to voice our opinion! "

Fact wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:41 PM:

" Smaller school means less class options for the students. No longer will the students have the choice of science classes to take, or so many optins for buisness or any other subject. Each school will have to have the same curriculum or the parents from one school will cry foul. The quality of the education will fall and there will be no recourse. By law, the only option available on the ballot will be to support or not support the bond issueance for the renovation of the HS. If it does not pass, there is a minmum amount of time (years?) before there can be another vote on ANY other option. In the mean time, LC will continue to grow, and there will be NO additional classrooms or facilities for a groing student body at LC. If it is not passed, the parking lots WILL contain portable classrooms, reduce, if not eliminate, student parking. Let's remember what CP went through when some in the community did not want a capital project. They elected a school board that did not want the project. What happened next? Remember? "

A GARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS 1 in the state wrote on Jan 12, 2009 6:02 PM:

" Did I read that correctly that a Gary Elementary School, Benjamin Banneker, is really number 1 in the entire state of Indiana for best ISTEP test scores?

Yes I did! I went to that website myself and I realized that, according to the stats, that school has achieved very near to 100% on all results for several years for the entire school population. That is amazing! No other school comes close to that school in Gary! How did they do that? "

LOW TAX wrote on Jan 12, 2009 5:26 PM:

" Did I just read correctly that St John taxes are LOW? Is that an honest statement? "

2007 tax rate again wrote on Jan 12, 2009 4:00 PM:

" I agree that this is a no brainer. I am all for 2 schools - just trying to prove it to everyone else by showing just how low it is. As a homeowner, we have seen our taxes decrease since being here, I will happily vote an increase in taxes if it is going for another school + renovation. Otherwise, no way a $95 million renovation is getting my vote. "

Do it right wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:55 PM:

" It's time to think outside the box and not pass up the opportunity to do things right. Maybe only a slight increase in taxes and a serious look at what can be cut or what ways additional funding could be obtained. Maybe pairing with the three communities to increase use of the facilities with a senior center, fitness center, etc.. that can benefit those community members that do not have children in school. Maybe some parents including myself would be willing to pledge money upfront towards a second high school to decrease the burden on taxpayers that can't afford a significant increase. (For us, that would be cheaper than moving, or paying for private school.) When questioned in a town hall meeting this past weekend, Congressman Visclosky agreed that size matters when it comes to schools and stated that while funding of schools is usually left to state and local govt., there is a possibility of increased funds with the new stimulus package as it pertains to new infrastructure. I honestly believe it would be better for students and property values, even if we did have to lose a few curriculum choices. "

Clark wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:44 PM:

" Clark was built to ease the over crowding of the elemantray schools. It had nothing to do with the middle schools themseleves. Actually, the middle schools are about the same as they were before it opened. However, with full day kindergarten and growth additional classes were needed. Therefore, it was necessary to build Clark. It was openly discussed and was planned long before a votewas necessary. They did "sneak" anything in. I love all the conspiracy theories people have. Yes, the schools are out to get you by NOT wanting taxes to go through the roof! Shame on them! "

re to stats wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:30 PM:

" I love how you tell us NOT to believe stats because they can be manipulated and then you give us STATs

Kind of ironic "

re 2007 tax rate wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:05 PM:

" Than what's the problem. Raise my taxes and put our money to good use. That low of a tax rate for one of the biggest school corporations in the state. That makes this even a bigger no brainer. "

re JDub wrote on Jan 12, 2009 3:01 PM:

" Is an $83 million dollar renovation going to bring the current Lake Central into the 21st century? I highly doubt it. I think everybody can agreee renovating can cost more than just building new. Tearing down existing walls, putting up new ones. This is a lot more costly. Why not spend a little more and do it right? I've seen reports that the life of the building with the renovation may only be until 2021. I don't know how true this is, but what then? "

2007 Tax Rate wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:49 PM:

" 2007 Tax Rate - LCSC is in the lowest 10 schools in tax rate at .8916 so our taxes are not high. Lake Ridge Schools have the highest at 2.4298 & Crawfordsville is next at 2.4057.
This was found at mustang.doe.state.in.us/TRENDS "

JDub wrote on Jan 12, 2009 2:26 PM:

" Clark was built to relieve crowding at the middle schools AND elementary schools. If people are going to the extreme by saying let's build one giant elementary school, then why don't we just built four new high schools? I'll agree a new school, or two, would be best, but please take into account the costs and getting the residents to fund both projects. Then add the costs to renovate or rebuild Grimmer, another hole-in-the wall building. The current high school desperately needs to be brought into the 21st century. If we "minimally" renovate it, then we'll have spent 20 million on a 40 year old building to keep it a 40 year old building, while half of tri-town will get a brand spankin' new school. "

Bottom of the barrel wrote on Jan 12, 2009 12:59 PM:

" Is it me or is LC at the bottom of the barrel when it comes down to facilities? I go to all of these other schools, and their facilities all seem to be better than LC's. And not all of them are new schools. Highland, Munster, Kankakee Valley, Lowell. You name them, they outrank LC. I am kind of embarassed of our facilities. Everybody says how high are taxes are, but we have this school to show for it.

Is the $95 million renovation going to make our school look new, or just add on wings and make it bigger? Are the athletic facilities going to be upgraded, including our pathetic gym? If the whole school is not going to get a facelift, I am for starting from scratch. Our community deserves fruit for our labor. All these taxes and I never see anything. Give the community something to be proud of. "

Not only choice. wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:36 AM:

" Very nicely said Interested. I was excited when I got an invitation to the original Task Force meeting because I thought it was to discuss the future options as to the path for LC and I would actually get to have some input. I was way off. It was "We are doing this & if you don't want more modulars in the parking lot, you need to get this passed."
It doesn't have to be this way - please get out there and voice your opinion. Go to the school meetings that are planned & go to the next school board meeting on 1/19/09 at 7:30 in the LGI room. "

Interested wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:25 AM:

" It is nice to see a lot of people speaking their opinions and providing pro's and con's for each. Wouldn't it be nice to put together a task force that actually gather's all this information for multiple options and then decide on a go forward recommendation based on all factors? Everyone is making good points on all sides and it would be nice to see the board gather the "TRUE FACTS" of multiple options so the community, who will pay for the changes, has a chance to vote on more than one option and then the option that wins is the one the board moves forward with. As of now, I have only heard of 2 options, the current referendum or mobile units in the parking lot. "

Not 2 for the Price of 1 wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:24 AM:

" No, it is not 2 for the price of 1, no one said that it was. It is actually thinking and planning ahead which has never been done before. I do support renovation to the high school but not to the tune of $83 million. If we are going that far, go the extra distance this time to do 2 reasonable size schools. I would support the second high school plus the lesser renovation amount that has been presented. Let's do that all in one swoop rather than having them come back to us asking for more $ in a few years for a vocational/Freshman center.

How does it sound reasonable to have all of that land on Blaine & want to do a Vocational or Freshman Center? This is telling you, they will be coming back to you to pass another large sum referendum. I would rather have 2 smaller sized schools than a "Megacentral" and an off-site Voc/Freshman Center so let's do that now. "

Stats wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:22 AM:

" Don't let the 'Carmel is #2' arguement be your determinent. Stats can be manipulated any way you want.

Six of the ten largest high schools in the state rank below 212 out of 336 schools in the state. 60% of Indiana schools with 2400+ students rank in the bottom third.

The two other area schools rank #212 (Portage) and #295 (Merrillville).

I support the arguement for two schools based on the standpoint that students have more opportunities to know their classmates and to participate in clubs and sports. "

Saving is Elementary wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:18 AM:

" You are so right, one ginormous school is cheap to run compared to multiple smaller schools. Extending your logic it only makes sense to close 6 elementary schools and make one ginormous elementary school. It will be 1/6 the cost to operate and LC will be able to lower taxes!
Better yet, how about ONE high school for all of Lake County, that would really save money.

Seriously, at least two high schools are needed to service the high school population of the LC district. It is what needs to be done, it is cost effective, it is educationally sound. "

Where was the upcry for Clark wrote on Jan 12, 2009 11:15 AM:

" Where was all of this upcry when Clark was built? Extra operating costs, more teachers, new building. Why didn't we just add on to the current middle schools? Sounds like the same problem to me. I didn't hear a peep out of these people who are proponents for cramming 3,500 kids in one building. I think we need to get rid of Clark and go back to the old way. We can save the taxpayers a lot of money. In fact, get rid of one of the other middle schools and just have one. Get the kids used to having classes of 1,000 and then we will not need a Freshman Center. They will already be seasoned. We can save everybody a lot of money then.

It was convenient they rushed that project before we needed referendums. "

Worth It wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:38 AM:

" From "football to swimming to clubs", double the amount of kids will be able to participate. I think that is a huge benefit. Our kids are worth that expense. "

no 2 schools wrote on Jan 12, 2009 10:30 AM:

" I think many of you are missing a LOT in the numbers which the board realizes. Having two high schools means you have to build a new one. Very expensive and increase taxes. However, building a new one does NOT mean they still don't need to renovate and update the old one. Very expensive and increased taxes. Basically, once you are done the community is going to shoulder the burden of building and renovating.

It does NOT even begin to factor in the costs of running the school which many parents seem to think it is possible to run two schools for the price of one. It can't happen! Where is the school going to get the money from to run it once they are built?

LC is a fine school doing a great job. They are one of the best schools in the state. Let the professionals do their jobs and stop being arm chair quarterbacks "

parentof2 wrote on Jan 12, 2009 9:31 AM:

" I like the way some adults post on here and act like they are recent grads. The cost of a second school is only part of the actual cost. you would then need two of everything from Football to swimming to clubs to everything that happends extra at LC. The future costs will be expensive compared to a known expense and known future expenses. "RENOVATE" "

2 Schools wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:22 AM:

" This is another point to make - let's try to get the change made now & put something different on the referendum so we don't have to wait for another one and delay in getting these kids some relief. Be vocal and ask the questions. My vote is for 2 schools. "

Former student wrote on Jan 12, 2009 7:15 AM:

" Class of '07, I felt like I went to high school in a prison. Where's the common sense? Seems to me that people like the idea of big numbers, big sports teams.. I just wish I had lasting friendships and didn't feel like I was in Orwell's 1984. One good thing about going to LC. . . Really good pot, really easy to get. "

No re NO wrote on Jan 11, 2009 9:53 PM:

" No is my vote to renovation of the existing school. Any renovation of the high school will need to be approved by voters.
I vote NO unless the referendum is for an additional school. "

Re No wrote on Jan 11, 2009 7:55 PM:

" Do not compare this situation to East Chicago, Michigan City, Hammond or Gary. In those situations you are talking about one city where people decided to leave the area.
Lake Central encompasses three towns, all of which still have room for growth. The board has already said that enrollment will increase to 3500 in the next 5 years. Two schools of 1750 does not sound small to me. Even if it does go back to 3200 that means 1600 per school. I don't forsee having to close a school. "

NO wrote on Jan 11, 2009 2:22 PM:

" There is no need to build another. How many high schools did East chicago, Hammond, Gary, Michigan City have and how many do they now have? Why build one now merely to top out and shut down in 15 years?

The community can affird to build 3 new high schools, but the schools can't afford to run one more. They do not have an unlimited budget.

Like it was stated in a different post. Could a homeowner build another home in town and then continue to maintain two homes for the cost of maintaining one? That is what parents are asking to do. It can't be done! You can't run two high schools while still meeting the same standards of one at the same cost of running one!

Making this go through kills the schools and in the long run the community "

Political Agenda wrote on Jan 11, 2009 1:06 PM:

" I'm not sure what the Political Agenda is of the school board, but I know their job is to answer to the people that elected them!
People went to school board meetings and asked about other alternatives to spending $95 million on a renovation. Those people were told no other options were considered because they had "NO MERIT". They didn't say we researched all possibilites and this is what we feel is best. It was not until these questions were raised that the school board looked into the cost of a second school. How can you make your decision without having those numbers first?
I don't think the school board has anything to gain, but they have made a major decision without getting input from Tri-town residents. "

Carmel is NUMBER 2 IN INDIANA GUESS WHO IS 1 wrote on Jan 11, 2009 11:34 AM:

" I was looking up info about school rankings at schooldigger.com

I found out something really interesting, most Gary schools are 0 or 1 star schools. Most Gary schools have almoster all black students. One Gary school which has 99% black, as it turns out, is THE NUMBER ONE SCHOOL (number one is one out of 1038 or so elementary schools in the state of Indiana on Istep results). That would mean that that school has a lot of amazing students and teachers (amazing parents too). I just wondered, how is it that benjamin banneker elementary school gary could exceed all other schools in the state of Indiana yet all other Gary schools are coming in right at the end?

If this is true then the Gary Schools Superintendent needs to spend alot of time at that school figuring out what they are doing so right at only that school. That school absolutely surpassed all others in the entire state - way to go... now, how? "

JDub wrote on Jan 11, 2009 10:51 AM:

" LC does have a jumbotron. It's just not jumbo and it just plays ads and stuff like that. So I guess we can just call it a "tron" Lake Central has a tron. "

Jumbotron wrote on Jan 11, 2009 6:47 AM:

" Did anyone see that Hobart has a Jumbotron in their new gym? They actually play replays during the game. I am not saying Lake Central needs a Jumbotron, but it is nice to actually see your tax dollars go for something the community can appreciate. "

re to survey wrote on Jan 11, 2009 12:07 AM:

" Why should surveys go out? It is NOT necessary. They inform the public through various means like maybe a newspaper. They did that. They do that in advance and allow a public forum suh as meetings. They did that school board meetings, study groups, continue with the newspaper. They have a vote (which is essentially the final part of the survey). They will do this later in the year.

What exactly do you feel is their "political aganda" they are serving? "

Survey says wrote on Jan 10, 2009 1:47 PM:

" Why should they have to send out a survey? They are having the local paper report on their intentions, the board meetings are open to the public, AND it has to be voted on. The vote IS the survey!

What is "their own political aganda"? What exactly do you think they are trying to pull that will benifit them? "

mistake wrote on Jan 10, 2009 12:18 PM:

" The last post "RE to Survey" was meant for another article. Sorry. I resubmitted it for the proper post. "

Re Survey wrote on Jan 10, 2009 12:08 PM:

" How many signatures has the current school board collected from residents that support their proposal... none they didn't ask ANYONE!!! As for the number 320, this survey was just an effort to show there are people that would like the board to CONSIDER other alternatives. The petitioners collected them in a short amount of time and over the Holiday break. All signatures were from residents of Schererville, Dyer and St. John. Even if it is only 100 familes, that is 100 families more than the school board had before making their decision. "

Survey wrote on Jan 10, 2009 7:49 AM:

" Why hasn't suryveys gone out for what the taxpayers want? This is all about what the board wants. I have not seen one town hall meeting, or survey, or anything of that nature go out to the taxpayers. These people work for the taxpayers who elected. It is their duty to be the voice of the people. Not serving their own political agendas. If they survey the taxpayers and the majority of taxpayers feel renovating is the best option, so be it. At least the community will have spoken. This is easy to make happen. It seems they might be scared about doing this. "

if than but wrote on Jan 9, 2009 11:51 PM:

" Many have said big schools can't succed...Carmel is number 2. Now people say we can't count Carmel. How about Penn can we count them? How about the 312 schools that are ranked behind LC? Do we count them? I think the LC administration has something pretty good going when they are in the top 8% of the entire state! There are only 23 schools that rank higher and 312 lower. Those of you who are against the school need to put a little faith in the professionals. Just because you went to school and have kids in it does NOT make you an expert! "

LC is not Carmel wrote on Jan 9, 2009 9:26 PM:

" Carmel succeeds as a large school because of the enormous amount of money flowing into that sytem. LC cannot compare to the resources in Carmel. Kills that arguement.
Also, LC is doing a great job on the stats. That is true, despite their current size, But, just think of how EXCEPTIONAL LC could be if it was smaller as well! Let's add a second high school and become the best! "

too big of H S wrote on Jan 9, 2009 5:17 PM:

" wow Your comment was not nice!

I think we need to split up the H S , let schererville pay for their own, and Dyer too, Dyer has stretched out too far.

Let each town pay for their own.

I moved to St.John was crn pt mailing, and look how they took over 93rd, the old soccoe field,. Hate having all that school & bus traffic near me.

HELP ! "

LC Alum wrote on Jan 9, 2009 4:09 PM:

" 1.I was responding to another comment that mentioned cutting "extra" classes to teach students financial tips, when in fact the classes that teach financial tips are in the category of "extra" classes.
2.Okay, let's get off the curriculum thing. LC still ranks better than many of the smaller high schools in the county. LC has higher ISTEP scores, a higher graduation rate, and a higher college attendance rate than Highland and Griffith. That's not to say anything bad about Griffith or Highland; they are both good schools. My point is, spending more money on a smaller school won't guarantee anything that everyone keeps saying it will; it's about parent involvement at a young age (among other factors). That's why the largest high school in the state (Carmel) is one of the top schools in the state. "

re 24th wrote on Jan 9, 2009 3:34 PM:

" So how did the schools with less than 300 students get ahead of Lake Central? They can't possibly be learning AP classes in those schools. How are they doing so well? I am sure they don't have a 22 page curriculum. We should put asteriks by them. They must be cheating.

I am not disagreeing that Lake Central is a good school. I agree learning is what a student, parent, and teacher put into it. If you want to succeed, you will. But it is more than just the learning. High school is about the opportunity to be part of a sports team, student council, clubs, etc. It is about knowing all your classmates and making lasting friendships. How can you do that at a school of 4,000? This isn't college. Shoot, St. Joseph's college in Rensselaer isn't near as big as Lake Central. "

re to re to LC Alum wrote on Jan 9, 2009 2:55 PM:

" SAT and ACT do NOT get you college alone. Try doing well on either and having a GPA of 1.3 out of 4. Not gonna happen!

LC students are required to take the core classes that everyone else in the state are. They are going above and beyond to offer more to their students which helps better prepare them. Many schools offer different electives outside of the core classes. Does this mean all schools are a Jr College?

High schools also have students that struggle in sci, math, and eng. Does that mean that the kids that excell at these areas should be held back and not have an opportunity to learn more and better excel? "

re LC Alum wrote on Jan 9, 2009 2:23 PM:

" 22 pages of courses are the problem, not the solution.
Basic and advanced English, Math, and Science are the core needed for college.
SAT and ACT get you into college.
Core high school courses prepare you for college.
If you want 22 pages of courses and you want business law, then go to college and major in what interests you.
LC is not college but for some reason the administrators and some parents think LC is a junior college and want it to be the size of a college.

AColleges such as Purdue have problems with students weak in English, Science and Math, they are not asking for high schools to teach more business courses! "

re LC Alum wrote on Jan 9, 2009 1:48 PM:

" I won't to Highland and was offered all of those courses and that was almost 20 years ago. Highland had 1,500 students than. What you don't realize is even if Lake Central has two schools, both schools will be in the upper elechon of enrollment. 3,500/2=1,750. These will then compare to Munster, Highland, etc. Are you telling me Munster and Highland do not offer these courses? Come on. Get off the curriculum thing. Yes, maybe we can't offer Russian or Japanese or basket weaving. Big deal. There are schools that offer want you want. They are called Prep schools and if you want to pay to go to one, you can. Not everybody goes to college. If want to get prepared for college, I suggest you take a college course at Purdue Cal or IUN during your senior year or during the summer. This might prepare you. "

24th wrote on Jan 9, 2009 1:40 PM:

" I just went online and typed in Indiana High School Rankings to see academically where they rank. 24th out of 336. Pretty good! It puts them in the top 10% in the state. Carmel with 4001 that is FOUR THOUSAND ONE students is ranked second in the state. How could they possibly be second in the state with sucha BIG school? Schools size is SO important how possibly can schools like Carmel be successful they are big. Because it is CLASS size, staff, parenting, and community support for education that makes it successful. Parents should put more time into volunteering at school, helping their community, tutoring, etc rather than passing around petitions to complain they want more. "

re to Back to the Basics wrote on Jan 9, 2009 1:17 PM:

" Since when is LC's acedemic achievement being held back? It is a VERY successful school that has a high graduation rate and a high college placement rate. "

LC Alum wrote on Jan 9, 2009 11:16 AM:

" Those "extra" courses that you are talking about cutting include career planning, business law, HTM, personal finance, business tech lab, and other courses preparing students for college courses according to their interests. High school is for preparing students for college courses and college life. Making students accustomed to basic classes will only hurt them in the future. Transitioning to college was a breeze. Many of my Lake Central classes were harder than my classes at Purdue. Check LC's website, they have 22 pages of courses offered to students, and that list keeps growing. You can't offer that with smaller schools if not enough students can sign up to fill a classroom. "

re Back to Basics wrote on Jan 9, 2009 10:27 AM:

" 1st sensible thing I read on these posts. Maybe if we taught our kids how to balance a checkbook, the ramifications of credit card debt, and all of the other basics about life, our country would not be half the mess it is in. "

Back to the Basics wrote on Jan 9, 2009 7:52 AM:

" To those of you saying courses will be cut, maybe some are not necessary & it is time to really focus on the core subjects. Maybe the less common, extra stuff is what is holding our academic achievement back. Get back to basics in 2 smaller schools, achieve premiere status, then add on to the curriculum if needed. "

Bad Apple wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:45 PM:

" If you want to use an apple as an example you will find a lot of bad apples. Portage is an example of another large high school that is not performing to potential. Portage district needs at least two high schools instead of one.
When you look at examples of very large high schools similar to Lake Central, you find schools with very high costs and these mega schools are seldom found near the top of the list of overall academic achievement. "

Turk182 wrote on Jan 8, 2009 11:38 PM:

" Across the country the range in cost for new high schools recently completed and projected to be completed w/in 2 years is from $35 million to $95 million. With the $95 million including a 8,000 seat football stadium and 2,000 student academic facility.
Somewhere between $60 and $90 million a new high school could be built.
There is too much waste and corruption in the budget of a $125 million or $200 million dollar high school.
Look at what David Dixon achieved in the Hammond district in the 18 years prior to 2002 when he retired.
David is an expert at what not to do. "

Apple wrote on Jan 8, 2009 2:11 PM:

" Ok then, find a similar "apple" - it's hard to do since 3 separate towns combine into ONE high school. These other large schools are one large city, not 3 separate entities. The school board is using this as an advantage as the 3 don't integrate except at the high school. When the towns were smaller, it may have worked but they are still growing. The board knows that land on Blaine will be used for something as they have admitted future growth so use it for a high school now instead of a vocational or freshman center. Use the empty schools in Hammond as mentioned earlier for more vocational education. A freshman center on a remote location just seems silly to me. "

re to Slats Grobnik wrote on Jan 8, 2009 1:52 PM:

" Our schools are NOT funded the same way as Illinois. Therefore, how can we compare to them when it is not the same? I am not sure about Florida funding but I am aware of their make up. Their schools have MANY more immigrants (legal and illegal). There is a larger tax base due to Florida's tourism alone. Just a few reasons why you can't compare the two, they are NOT comparable. You need to compare to LC to school in similar economic areas and if you go out of state to similarly funded states. Again, apples to apples.

Just like your pay raise comment. I work in Indiana and it would be absurd for me to expect the same as someone in Chicago, Hawaii, San Francisco, etc

TV's I am NOT going to compare a Sony to a Vizio.

Just like I wouldn't compare a Mercedes to a Kia

Why would anyone? "

Tim S wrote on Jan 8, 2009 1:07 PM:

" Parents make up the best part of a child's education, not a school or a teacher. Most of these comments represent the largest element of many parents involvement. That is, complain about the system. Move to some Shang-ri-la of education, where every child that goes in comes out a genius. Don't offer the daily example of a future more dependent on hard work and high expectation than the demands that relative strangers can invest a child with independence, reliability and self-motivation. Your children do well because you expect them to and transfer that confidence to them If you do that, they'll earn an education in a one room schoolhouse, or a 300 acre campus. It won't matter. Most of you are worried about the money. Don't spend it. Spend the time and effort instead. But it will take a lot of that, if your kids go to school in shifts, to overcome those kids anxieties and frustrations. Keep moving farther out, while the central cities (Hammond, Gary, East Chicag, Munster, Highland) schools empty, get demolished and suffer through lack of diversity. It's the same old story, you can run but not hide, what goes around, comes around. "

Slats Grobnik wrote on Jan 8, 2009 10:57 AM:

" No, LC is not Munster, nor is it Gary.
Better to compare LC to the best and strive for improvement than it is to compare LC to the worst and say "LC is great, no changes needed".

When there are less than 1200 and greater than 600 students at a high school the students obtain greater academic achievement. That is the consistent conclusion of education researchers and actual data.

> 3,000 students is detrimental.

The only question is if LC administrators understand this and can the district afford to build additional schools to provide the best atmosphere possible for it's students? "

re to Slats Grobnik wrote on Jan 8, 2009 7:31 AM:

" Are we in Munster? How about comparing LC to East Chicago? Kind of absurd, right? While many individuals feel we are comparable to Munster we are not. How much low income housing does Munster have? If you are only looking at the upper half and/or the middle of LC's socioeconimic groups and making those comments you are correct, but I know you are not. Also, are you aware that until VERY recently there were a decent number of Westlake (special ed) students that were bussed here which reflect on LC's scores NOT Munster's. You need to compare apples to apples! "

Former LC grad with kids wrote on Jan 7, 2009 11:44 PM:

" Someone commented that this decision should be made by those who have attended the school,not the parents. Well, I am both a parent and former grad. My class was 500 or so and it was far too crowded then. It has been said that the current 7th grade class will be LC's largest yet at 1300 students! I do not want to send my children into a school of that size. I know of many others who will not move into the area simply because of the school's size. Lake Central needs to move forward. I want better for my kids than I had and LC is obviously not interested in providing that for them. "

Slats Grobnik wrote on Jan 7, 2009 10:13 PM:

" to Proud LC Grad
Are you aware that LC has significantly lower graduation rate than Munster?
I'm glad you are doing well, with over 3,000 students it should be easy to find examples of success.
What about the students that don't do well at LC?
What about the LC students that don't qualify for college? Over 16% of LC students don't even graduate, less than 5% of Munster students don't graduate. "

Proud LC Grad wrote on Jan 7, 2009 8:57 PM:

" I graduated from LC a few years ago and I did not think it was too big at all while I was there. I learned a great deal and have done well at IU (and I know countless others that have done so as well). At a large school you do as well as you want to. I have not once at IU seen a difference in my education and abilities compared to those of students from Munster, Crown Point, Highland, etc. I do not think a new school is needed. Lake Central provides just as good (if not better) of an education then the surrounding schools the way it is. "

Annexation wrote on Jan 7, 2009 1:22 PM:

" Speaking of annexation, does anyone know if the Dyer annexation will effect the demographic study the Board has placed so much stock in? With all of the houses that are supposedly to go up behind the Christmas Tree farm, I just can't see this study as being correct. Hope they didn't do the demographic study for Crown Point -we know how that one turned out - they are busting at the seems already. "

Two St. John Schools wrote on Jan 7, 2009 12:59 PM:

" If having two schools in St. John is a problem the current school property could always be annexed to Schererville. It is only a few hundred feet across the border. "

WOW wrote on Jan 7, 2009 12:11 PM:

" Everyone is moving to Lowell. We have had more residents of Schererville and St. John over the last 2 years move here that we will now need a new high school. Please School Board, ask the people what they want and keep your residents in their homes so they stop moving down here. "

Dear Bake-apalooza wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:25 AM:

" I like the idea of bake sales, but do the women of the tri-town area know how to bake?? They might have to give up some tanning sessions to bake. "

Re Recent Alum Again wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:20 AM:

" Lake Central has 153 acres at 101st and Blaine in St. John, so both schools would still be located in St. John. They would just have to redistrict for the schools, like they do for the middle and elementary schools now. All taxpayers in the school district would pay for the new school and renovation of the existing school. The renovation of the existing school would be much less since the whole reason this renovation is taking place is because it is overcrowded. The current LC would not need major renovations since it would not be overcrowded anymore. Most of the renovations would be facelifts to make it look new and improved.

Either way you look at it, there will eventually be some sort of new building at 101st and Blaine. Be it a Freshman Center, Vocation Center or whatever, the Board has already hinted at this. Do it right now and do not waste our time and money. "

Re Current 7th Grader wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:12 AM:

" Good luck. I hope you are good enough. If not, take to the streets. I am sure that if you were at a different school, you probably would have at least a chance. Not at LC. You better know somebody or be really good. But you can always join the band. Everybody makes the band. Now that I think about it, with two schools, the band would get hurt the most. I would say the football team, but they can't get much worse. "

putty wrote on Jan 7, 2009 9:07 AM:

" All school systems reach a high point in attendance. This has been happening in the LC system for 20 years. Same thing happened in the late 60's in Thorton fractional systems. There was a big push for a 3rd high school due to overcrowding as baby boomers reached highschool age. This was a natural result of the housing boom in Calumet City & Lansing in the late 50's to mid 60's. The proposed school was never built and the number of students in the districts started to fall by the mid 70's, again a natural result of a maturing community. The same thing will happen in the LC system within 10 years. "

Current 7th grader wrote on Jan 7, 2009 7:54 AM:

" I'm really mad about this, because how am I supposed to try out for softball when I have to compete with 3 towns to make a team of 13 or 14? I WANT A NEW SCHOOL and I'm not the only one! "

Recent LC Alum again wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:27 PM:

" Okay, here are some more things to consider. People want their town to have its own school, so wouldn't two new schools have to be built? Is that fair that two towns have to share a school and one town gets their own? Who pays for the new school? All tri-town residents, or just those whose student would attend the new school? There are upfront costs of course, but who's going to pay for all the new teachers/coaches/custodians/administrators/support staff(yearly)? How long does it take to build a completely new school? How crowded will the current building be by the time a new school is built? Where would the new schools be built? (you can't have two high schools in St. John). How much will the land cost? Where is there accessible land in an already developed area? How long will it take to find the land and negotiate a sale? If you can bring back the past and change things, go ahead. But guess what, we are faced with a problem and all people seem to do is dwell on past mistakes. "

Not just school size wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:02 PM:

" I agree that students are going to get out of high school what they put in. If a student at LC works hard they can have success, go on to college, and have further success. However, when you combine the size of the school with the fact that we are looking at spending $95 million to renovate LC, it seems to me the viability of a second school should be considered. Would you rather have one school that is over crowded and over 40 years old, or two schools one of which will be brand new? I vote for two schools.... oh but the school board didn't ask for my vote. "

Re Good Job wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:35 PM:

" I understand the the position of school board member is not a high paying job. I know "they are paid next to nothing; however they took the job knowing they have to answer to the citizens that elected them (the likes of many people writing here"). These people are CONCERNED about the the future of LC. Why didn't the school board even think about conducting a poll of tri-town residents? A simple questionaire sent to all residents, not just residents that have LC students. If poll showed a lack of support for a second school, then they have would have data to back it up their decision. Instead the board made this MAJOR decision on their own. The current board needs to get in touch with their constituents. "

Heres an idea wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:29 PM:

" Why don't they put on a ballot two options (One for the "add-on" and one for a new school w/ NECESSARY renovations to existing school) and let the voter's decide? Then we will REALLY know what the public wants and what exactly they are willing to pay for. Why does this sound so incredibly unreasonable?!? "

Us vs. Them wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:24 PM:

" Wow.... all these comments back and forth. When did it all become us vs them? Honestly.... the problem lies here.... The school system DID NOT NOTIFY THE TAXPAYERS appropriately. We would NOT be here, if they had communicated this from the begining!!! Don't tell me "public forums,etc.".... they are managing to get their message out NOW that they want our MONEY!?!?! THey couldn't have discussed OPTIONS with the public BEFORE it got to this?
You are asking, Where have I been? I've been DEPENDING ON THEM TO DO THE RIGHT THING! Since THAT isn't happening... I am NOW AT EVERY BOARD MEETING VOICING MY OPINION! (Ohhhh nooo! Someone is thinking outside their box!!)
I do NOT dote on my kids... I AM active in their lives, and in all honesty.... my kids would probably EXCEL in this school. My "beef" lies with the fact that these board members aren't LISTENING to what the community wants! They have their own agenda and God Forbid SOMEONE question it! "

Greg wrote on Jan 6, 2009 6:22 PM:

" Why is classroom size being used to justify a 3,000 - 3,500 student high school? Is classroom size the only important factor? Does LC have extracurricular activities?
Is the band 3 times the size of a normal band? Is the football team 3 times the size? Does a theater production use 3 times the number of students?
Or are 2/3 of the students excluded from activities and involvement compared to a 1,000 student school?
If what happens in the classrooom is the only factor of importance, then just broadcast the classes over the internet and let the students stay home.
No new building needed. "

j-la wrote on Jan 6, 2009 5:43 PM:

" I graduated from Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois in the early 1970's. There were 5200 kids in all 4 classes and we went to school in two shifts. There was no lunch hour or even a cafeteria. We had crowded hallways and each class was shortened to 45 minutes. Somehow,I managed to learn. Somehow I managed to graduate and then go on to college. Here, in Lake County, the size of a school seems to be a convenient excuse for some students failures. Here we go again with the "victim mentality" and "Johnny can't learn in such an anonymous environment". COME ON! When will these students take responsibility for their own achievements? The parents need to stop casting blame on a school system and take responsibility for their child's learning experience. If a child is a poor student it is certainly NOT due to the size of the school. Rather, it is probably due to that students inattention and immaturity and lack of parental supervision and interest in their child's education. "

Another recent LC alum wrote on Jan 6, 2009 5:38 PM:

" I have to agree with the previous comment and I am not sure I can do it better. I am a product of LC. I am VERY please with my education. When I first started my parents and I were very nervous, but that quickly ended. It was simply the fear of the unknown and the comments of a few that intimidated us. Thanks to LC I will graduate from IU next year and was very well prepared, even more-so than MANY of my college peers! I did not understand this or appreciate it until I left LC. "

Recent LC Alum wrote on Jan 6, 2009 4:55 PM:

" Ahh yes, I love when articles about LC are printed. Students from the 80's and parents with kids in the district claim to know so much about the schools these days. For one thing, you can't be "ignored" at Lake Central. There are about the same number of students in a classroom compared to other schools, so it's unlikely you'll get ignored. You CAN make it across the school within 6-8 minutes, the time they give you to travel depending on your location. I'm at Purdue, and I'm farther ahead than most students from smaller schools. LC's size offers a more diverse curriculum...you just have to take advantage of it. People want nice schools and more schools, but cry about the new taxes. LC belongs to THREE towns, so try telling Schererville residents they have to pay for a new school while St. John residents don't. Or try telling St. John they have to pay for a school in Schererville that doesn't benefit them. "

Bake Sales Bake-apalooza79 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 4:27 PM:

" Just have a few bake sales. In no time enough money will have been made to build 2 new high schools!! "

Playing the Game wrote on Jan 6, 2009 3:49 PM:

" The board is playing politics the right way (or wrong way). They are taking it at baby steps like all politicians do. Start small and gradually increase. Just like with sales taxes, property taxes, county taxes, etc. Go for a 95 million dollar renovation that they will have a good chance of getting passed. Then in 5 years, say their estimates were wrong and go for a new school or freshman center at $200 million (inflated costs). Add in all of the other nick nack renovations they have all ready done and the project will cost $300 million at the end of 10 years. Do it now and it will cost you maybe $175 million? This is politics as we know it.

As my Dad taught me when I was young, pay a little more up front and it will most likely save you in the long run. Buy cheap and you'll be paying for years. Raise my taxes once, not three or 4 times LC school board. "

Ask the Students wrote on Jan 6, 2009 3:35 PM:

" All the rumblings I have been hearing are from the parents. Why don't we ask the current and past students what they think of the school? That is what this is all about. It's not about the parents. I think their feedback is the most important. "

Joe LC wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:56 PM:

" "DON'T LIKE THE WAY LC IS DOING THINGS? MOVE!! Put a sign in front of your house sell it and go someplace else."
- posted by MOVE.

I'm an LC graduate, and that's exactly what I did. I wouldn't allow my children to attend that school, and I didn't gamble with my children's education by staying and hoping that the school board would build a Schererville High School by the time my kids were that age. Moving away was the best decision I ever made.

The decision should be what is best - not what is least expensive. Build a new high school - I would be in favor of TWO more high schools. LC is too big and has been for decades. "

I want to go to Wally World wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:39 PM:

" Excellent point and comments. The towns have failed the schools and communities as a whole, but an additional issue is the developers. They have all become VERY wealthy building these subdivisions and have done little to add to the schools. Why hasn't anyone held these individuals accountable? They reap the profits and then leave us with the burden. It is a large factor many are not addressing as they rip the schools for trying to fill in a hole many others have dug! "

Good Job wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:36 PM:

" They don't do anything people complain. They try to do something people complain.

The school board members are doing the best with what they are given. They have nothing to benefit from any of this other than a better community (they are paid next to nothing especially for having to deal with the likes of many people writing here)

Keep up the good work LCSC "

parentof2 wrote on Jan 6, 2009 2:30 PM:

" with construction of new houses nearly stopped now for almost 2 years and the future of new construction not looking good, the school system will get less kids or shrink in size in the next couple of years. No new school needed. Fix what we have and everything will be fine. My kids love LC and the size and are getting a great education and access to plenty of activities. "

Worth It wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:38 PM:

" We all realize it is not that simple but it is worth it. Smaller class sizes, more opportunity for participation by the students, and the potential for more community support by the mere fact there will be someplace to go instead of trying to congregate students and family into the jam of a situation now. Currently granduation has to occur at an off-site location just to house the students & barely any family can witness this event due to the number. Seeing the auditorium last night was a sad sight, for the number of students currently in the building, I don't know if it would fit a quarter of them at once. I don't know the exact plans for the auditorium renovation but I don't believe it is that impressive of an increase. Bottom line is we need to think ahead this time - it will go over the 3500 anticipated and there will be no more room to grow on the current location - only solution to increase class size & no one wants that. "

run for school board wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:37 PM:

" So, no one is allowed to have reasonable expectations of their school board to make smart decisions? No one can complain about their poor performance unless they have run for the seat themselves? Wait...what country to do we live in?! Believe me...when election time rolls around,those school board members in their suits sitting on their comfy pedestals will be in for some big ole surpises!! People are fed up! So, they have roots in the community? They are also so out of touch that they can't make the right choices to move into the modern age. We need a second school! And someone with half a brain on the school board! "

I want to live in Wallys World wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:34 PM:

" Excellent point and comments. The towns have failed the schools and communities as a whole.

But in additional point I think is the developers. They have all became VERY wealthy building these subdivisions and have done little to add to the schools. Yes, one donated a piece of property so small there is nothing that can be done on it, but hey he did something for the schools. Why hasn't anyone held these individuals accountable either? They reap the profits and then leave us with the burden.

It is a large factor many are not addressing as they rip the schools for trying to fill in a hole many others have dug "

Kris wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:29 PM:

" There isn't any right answer, there is absolutely no way of making everyone happy and that should not be what the board focuses on. They need to stick with the facts. I moved out of Crown Point so my kids could be in the LC system. LC has a lot more to offer. Accommodations need to be made to handle the size of the student body and whatever makes the most sense economically for the majority is what should be considered.
I have read several of these debates on line and have attended board meetings and I am here to tell you that everyone has an opinion but very few step up.
Perhaps the tri-town development departments need to hault new construction and allow the area to settle into their size. Do we really need to build on ever piece of land available????
In stead of arguing on line (which makes absolutely no sense) why not step up and volunteer to make these schools the best that they can be???
Make the most out of what we do have. "

re give the board a break wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:27 PM:

" First of all, you sound very uninformed on this issue. I, however, am very informed. I do attend the school board meetings. I do vote and unfortunately, many of the board members repeatedly run unopposed so I have no option. I do I did vote for Val's opponent based on the fact that he was AGAINST renovation. Lake Central currently owns land that will accomodate a second high school. They, however, are keeping it as a location for a vocational center. How do the folks without kids in the district feel about funding that project?? Yes, Nancy Gray has been gone for all of ONE board meeting. Thankfully, she has retired! However, she was part of the disgraceful board who got this whole problem started. She is also the one who abruptly ended a board meeting(which I attended!) as soon as the community spoke against the plan. The community was given 12 mintues of a 2 hour meeting for a public forum before it was shut down by her! And that's how much they care about what the community has to say. At least we have these message boards to express our views. "

re to wally world wrote on Jan 6, 2009 10:02 AM:

" Excellent point and comments. The towns have failed the schools and communitites as a whole. But ine additional point I think is the developers. They have all became VERY wealthy building these subdivisions and have done little to add to the schools. Yes, one donated a piece of property so small there is nothing that can be done on it, but hey he did something for the schools. Why hasn't anyone held these individuals accountable either. They reap the profits and then leave us with the burden. It is a large factor many are not addressing as they rip the schools for trying to fill in a hole many others have dug! "

re to re give the board a break wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:48 AM:

" Maybe you should have ran for the board yourself. Sounds like you are very concerned for your children and community. Why didn't you? It's always easier for people to sit on the outside a lob complaints in without doing anything themselves.

As for a 2nd school there are many more costs than simply building it. You then have to staff it. You have more property to pay taxes on. You have more NIPSCO to pay. You have more equipment to buy. There are many more costs to factor in. I do not think many of you realize it is not as simple as just build a building.

The property on Blaine is affordable and available. Other property in the area which may be large enough are not necessarily available and/or affordable. The board good or bad does not have a blank check to work with "

wally world wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:10 AM:

" (Continue from last post) -

Then next door in Fishers, they took the other route. They built a new Fishers High School to accommodate kids instead of expanding Hamilton Southeastern. Both schools now have around 2,000 students. Again, both of those schools perform very well.

So it can be done both ways effectively. Personally, I think I'd be in favor of a new high school if we had a place to put it. 101st and Blaine doesn't seem like a very good location to me, but if that's all we got, that's all we got. The land in Dyer is for Dyer Parks, which we need badly, but it is more centrally located. Either way, I wouldn't be outraged paying another $300-400 in taxes per year if it meant better education for all our student residents.

Disclaimer - I send my children to Catholic schools, so it really doesn't affect me either way. "

wally world wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:02 AM:

" OK...first of all, why aren't people lobbing blame on the respective town councils and zoning boards, etc. who have allowed rampant growth without adequate study or time to address the issues that has on the school system. Some of us actually grew up here in the Tri-Town area and didn't move here from somewhere else. Yet, now we have a bunch of Illinoisans and people fleeing Hammond, etc. taking up space in our schools. They couldn't have moved here if there weren't any houses for them to move into.

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't feel like I'm being taxed to death. My houses is assessed at about $225,000 and I pay about $2500 in taxes yearly. Compared to what my co-workers who live in the West and Northwest Suburbs are paying, it's pretty darn cheap if you asked me.

Now I think it can work both ways. Look downstate at some school districts to see how it could work. In Carmel, they have a 4,000 student high school which excels academically and with extra-curricular activities as well. It seems to work for those residents. Their ISTEPs are in the 93-94% range. "

re to re board wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:51 AM:

" If you are so concerned and the board is so horribloe why did you not run for it. The individuals on the board are supportive and familiar with the entire community. The ones I assume you are referring to have deep roots in this community. They lived, worked, and participated here for years. Their children and now grandchildren have been and now are in the corporation. One even has a daughter-in-law employed by the corporation. To say they have no interest is wrong and misinformed. They have and continue to take an active role in the community and schools to make them better. I assume LONG before most of you were living here.

I also strongly doubt that there will be a mass exodus from the area and even if there is many will move right in to replace them. See ya "

re give the board a break wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:34 AM:

" First of all, you sound very uninformed on this issue. I, however, am very informed. I do attend the school board meetings. I do vote and unfortunately, many of the board members repeatedly run unopposed so I have no option. I did vote for Val's opponent based on the fact that he was AGAINST renovation. Lake Central currently owns land that will accomodate a second high school. They, however, are keeping it as a location for a vocational center. How do the folks without kids in the district feel about funding that project?? Yes, Nancy Gray has been gone for all of ONE board meeting. Thankfully, she has retired! However, she was part of the disgraceful board who got this whole problem started. She is also the one who abruptly ended a board meeting(which I attended!) as soon as the community spoke against the plan. The community was given 12 mintues of a 2 hour meeting for a public forum before it was shut down by her! And that's how much they care about what the community has to say. How else can we be heard, except through these message boards? It's a free country and I'm exercising my rights. "

NWI resident wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:30 AM:

" because it seems you have a solution for everything...please Obama help us "

Re Break wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:19 AM:

" You are correct in that Nancy Gray is a former board member but she was part of the referendum decision and really the only one who responded to our questions at the board meetings which some of us making comments do attend. Ms. Gray, said herself, that her focus group when making the decision to proceed with this current path, was people like her from her church. First, I would hope her focus group would be much broader than that. Second, I assume "like her" would mean similar age with children already through the school system so why should they want a higher tax for the school? Those of us questioning now are parents of kids that are coming up through the system. "

Give the board a break wrote on Jan 6, 2009 7:41 AM:

" I am amazed buy the number of people complaining about the board. These are elected officials NOT appointed. If you don't like it why don't you run yourself. To the one person who commented about Nancy Grey, she isn't even on the board anymore is she?

The board (from the meetings I have attended) has the students best interests at heart. But they can not just blindly look that way. They are also responsible to individuals like "WHY" who wrote the very first comment here, the individuals who have no one in the corporation. They are concerned about community as a whole as they should be. All of you should attend meetings rather than gripe from your computers

Plus building a 2nd high school is NOT as simple as find a big piece of property and build. There are not many parcels large enough. One person here has even suggested using Broadmoor which is part of Merr. "

Consider wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:29 AM:

" I believe the proposed tax increase being provided is based on a property with a value of $250,000. Should your value be less, your increase will be less. Should your value be more, your increase will be more. Look at this long term. Why was the land purchased on 101st & Blaine? Your investment now in 2 schools will prevent the board from coming back to you in 5 years asking for more money to build on this property that was acquired knowing the system is growing. "

Which amount is it wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:22 AM:

" The figures the School Board has given for a second high school have been anywhere from $135 million to $240 million. Envoys master plan high end costs gives an amount of approximately $164 million (which includes a 2000 student high school + renovating the existing school)- why does the article read $174 million? The numbers are being inflated to scare you instead of seeing that a second high school is feasible. "

Focus Group wrote on Jan 6, 2009 12:15 AM:

" Please also note that at a School Board meeting, Nancy Gray,(former school board member), informed the attendees that her focus group, when deciding on this renovation, was comprised of people like her from her church. I am assuming that means those of the same approximate age with children already through the system. So, of course, they don't want their taxes raised but the board's main concern should be the education of the children not the cheapest short lived solution. I would much rather have a larger tax increase for a second high school + upgrades to the current LC than to have to pay for private school. I have a number of friends with children seriously talking about moving out of the area should the School Board proceed with their current referendum plans. An exodus and lack of interest in the area due to such a large school will push property values down. "

thanks a lot school board wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:14 PM:

" Maybe if our school board was comprised of more people who actually had children in the school system, the decisions they make would be much different. Many have been in their seat FAR too long and have lost touch with modern day problems and solutions.

Stop playing politics and do your job-build a second high school. It's as simple as that "

UNBELIEVABLE wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:07 PM:

" I am truly aghast at the parents and people of this community who feel it is completely okay to let LC administration and school board...past and current... make these decisions for us! These are very important decisions that will affect the education of our children! These people obviously are not interested in what is best for the students. If they were, they would be educating themselves on what is working out there and what is not. Let's build a second high school and address these problems once and for all. Instead, they are uninformed and motivated by some disturbing political agenda.
I don't trust the school board because I can see now where their motivations lie..and it's not with bettering the education of our kids!! "

Re Board meetings wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:58 PM:

" Excuse me?? "not plenty of evidence out there about the benefits of smaller schools". You've obviously not looked. Actually, there is NO evidence out there to support LCs arguements that large schools are better or even equivalent!!
And the info you are referring to is about the task force meeting and was distributed AFTER the task force had been established and had already met. Yeah, that info is out there for any parent who wants to go into the building and request it. That's how forthcoming the schools are with it! Plus, how does that accessibility of paperwork help inform those in the community who DO NOT have children in school and who were obviously NOT invited to attend??! "

suspicious wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:50 PM:

" Hmmmm...a school board that keeps its information quiet, a "special task force" meeting that is by invitation only to recruit supporters, a newspaper that only reports one side of the story and school board meetings that cut off when those with an opposing viewpoint start asking questions (yeah, you Nancy Gray). Very interesting politics we are playing LC! Would make Blagojevich proud! "

Absolutely appalled wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:48 PM:

" I cannot believe the actions and thinking (or lack thereof) of our school board! Because of it's size, the LC system is DETRIMENTAL to all aspects of education. Sure, there are some students who still excel. That's self driven success. Hey, there are also prisoners who get college degrees from within a penitentiary!! There are countless studies that clearly prove that small schools are better in every aspect of the education. To argue otherwise is simply being UNEDUCATED! I don't want to throw my kids to the wolves. LC Administrators...do the right and smart thing for a change. Stop wasting everyone's time and money! Build a second high school and actually practice what you preach (remember that mission statement?!) "

David Dixon Expert wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:38 PM:

" How dare you glorify David Dixon as an "expert"! With brilliant leadership like his and a fantastic(yeah, way to go!) Hammond school system, Lake Central is under sorry advisement. If the carefully selected parents who are part of this "special task force" are buying all this then this project truly is the epitome of the blind leading the dumb! "

Board meetings wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:21 PM:

" ALL board meetings are a public forum. Anyone may attend and you don't even need to be a member of the community. Each and every school in the district from what I am told has and had information available in the offices (I picked mine up at Grimmer) They are not keeping anything secret, if you just take an active part in your community you would be aware of these issues.

As a RE to "school size" there is NOT "plenty of evidence out there about the benefits of smaller schools". Stating things do not make them facts. However, you are correct that smaller class sizes are a proven and direct benifit. So is better pay for teachers , but I don't see anyone volunteering for that. "

Ray wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:19 PM:

" Lake Central ranks #119 for Graduation Rate.
Munster ranks #4 for Graduation Rate.

Lake Central ranks #74 for SAT scores.
Munster ranks #7.

Lake Central quality of education may be better than average, it is not among the best of best. It is not equal to Munster.

Lake Central students deserve better. "

Food for Thought wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:09 PM:

" Practice birth control. "

Tri-Town Resident wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:07 PM:

" Aren't there already preconceived notions about those who attend LC who reside in Dyer, Schererville, and St. John? Do some students look down on those who reside outside of their town or perhaps live in a subdvision he or she might consider less than adequate? Building another school will not stop this mentality, it will just continue to foster this attitude. Change the perception, change the attitude. How are schools with populations over 4,000 students able to manage? "

a REAL parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:07 PM:

" all of these whining parents want someone else to be responsible for their delinquents. raise your kids right and be involved in their lives and it won't matter whether they go to a school with 3 students or 3000. they will have the self-discipline to learn....and the willingness to learn. it starts at home. stop blaming the school. i love lchs! "

disillusioned parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:32 PM:

" BTW - Indiana guidelines want 100 acres - so, consult a map - find 100 acres in Dyer, Schererville or St John - that is buildable - with one exception on the south border of the district, there are no such parcels. "

disillusioned parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:29 PM:

" Lets be honest, "future looking." It is the schools, or more specifically, fellow school kids that drive many Illinois residents here. I have heard over and over, as they beg "not that we're racist, but..." and then relate some incident or other or changing demographics as the reason they moved, especially from the Crete-Monee, Chicago Heights, Lansing, etc. school district. It's white flight and racism, pure and simple. As soon as LC is integrated more fully, they will run from here too - likely to Porter County-so get ready Valpo. "

Monroe wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:29 PM:

" Take some time and tour Hobart and Crown Point high schools then tour Lake Central. For 30 million less than the remodel budget of Lake Central both Crown Point and Hobart built first class facilities. Lake Central has great educators and a poorly designed facilility.
High school is more than classroom, it is also activities and sports. Many students are excluded when competing with 3K students.
Fix LC and build another high school. It is needed now and will not get any cheaper if built 10 years from now.
Lake Central will spend 100 million and then conclude a new high school is still needed. "

School equity wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:19 PM:

" Clark Middle School...all brand new...but after a year, it still lacks any outdoor sports facilities. However, Kahler has a nice stadium. Kids at Clark can only check out one book at a time since the library is short books. My child has to share other books or look online for materials.

The LC Board should focus on taking care of the basics before planning on building themselves new office space. As one parent put it, "if it was okay to teach kids in trailors all these years, then why don't they move their facilities into them too." "

School size wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:14 PM:

" Mitch Daniels, in an interview on WSBT over the holidays, stated that the focus of schools should be what is best for the kids, not what bureaucrats want as their legacy. There is plenty of evidence out there about the benefits of smaller schools and subsequently smaller class sizes.

In some communities, board meetings are broadcast on a public access channel. Others, provide more opportunity for public comment at their meetings versus deciding to limit it when it is counter to their beliefs. When did the LC Board distribute information about the task force and high school plans to the students and their parents? At no time. However, I can get information on non-school sponsored sports teams and magazine sales. The existing task force members were selected by principals and was not generally announced.

Lastly, why buy a piece of property on the very edge of the district? Blaine and 101st is the farthest point from Dyer, yet there are large tracts of land in St. John and Dyer that would be much more convenient to the students. "

Future looking wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:59 PM:

" I have been advocating a second high school for many years. When Broadmoor Golf Course closed, I wrote in the paper that it was a great spot for a second high school. A convenient area now exists north of the Jewel in Dyer. Wouldn't it be great to walk to a high school versus everyone having to drive or be bused miles? Is the reduction in fuel and bus costs enter into the school board figures?

The demographic study focuses on legacy students - the kids of LCHS graduates who remain in the district. Most of us know that many families relocate to St. John and Dyer from Illinois but weren't adequately considered. (Higher taxes and affordable housing drive them to relocate, not the schools.) While the existing school satisfied the needs of the 80's and 90's graduates, many of us are looking towards 2015 and beyond.

I don't care about adding wonderful special activities like Orchestra - I just want my child to know the names of most of his classmates and feel he is more than one of many. "

Why has it taken so long wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:38 PM:

" Why has it taken so long for Lake Central to release the numbers showing the approximate cost of building a second school? It seems they didn't want the public to hear that option. If it wasn't for a few concerned parents bringing this up a a recent school board meeting, it probably would not have been made public at all! The board was hoping its task force members would follow their master plan for renovation like lemmings.
The residents of Schererville, St. John and Dyer need to speak up and voice their opinion. Make the board listen to the people that voted them into office. "

betty wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:49 PM:

" Anyone who makes a comment that a sitting president can influence their local school corporation does not know anything about their local school corporation. Let me enlighten the uninformed; schools are funded mainly by property taxes with some funding coming from the state and feds. If mortgage holders actually received a copy of their property tax bill they would know this. Trust me, BO is not concerned with the Lake Central School Corporation. "

disillusioned parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:24 PM:

" If quality education is the concern, then why is it that the science fair is all hyped, but my kid hasn't had any science but work sheets? And they often "don't have time to get to science?" (Elementary school)

Yet in another school, same grade, there is a division of social studies and science teaching responsibilities and the kids are doing science 4 days per week? Something is definitely wrong in Lake Central when you have this kind of inequity between different schools.

Now that most of the three towns border each other, each should have it's own schools. That's one of the reasons Munster and Crown Point are still highly desirable towns to live in. The individual communtiy supports the school and feels responsible for it. "

Common Sense wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:12 PM:

" As someone already pointed out, both sides have some valid points. I am surprised at the lack of education that so many residents have. As a regular attendee of school board meetings (and avid reader of the minutes!), I know that NO ONE ever comes to the meetings. The board and administration is not hiding anything; rather, the residents are apathetic until they think they might get jilted.

Great schools depend on the involvement of parents in their children's education, in high quality teachers, and in great facilities. The posts show that the first is definitely lacking, the second is becoming endangered at LC because of the high number of travelling teachers, and the third is what 83 of the 95 million will fix. Forty years of bad additions will be fixed and expansion will take place. The money is being wisely spent. "

New Board Members wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:06 PM:

" We elected 2 new school board members this past fall. We need to elect 3 new ones next time. I want school board members that have students in the school system. Let's get rid of the 3 members that don't have their kids in school anymore. It just makes sense! "

Previous LC Grad wrote on Jan 5, 2009 4:06 PM:

" I went to LC & graduated when they built the freshmen center, my daughter now goes to LC this year (we moved specifically to get her into LC) and it is a vast improvement over other school systems we have been involved in. People may wonder how Crown Point was able to build a brand new elementary school, brand new high school, then build a brand new middle school - yeah they got it done and each year my children were transferred to a different school and there was a constant shortage of books and resources available, the schools look great but half the areas the students are not allowed to enter, the libraries had more empty shelving then books, the curriculum was lacking, and half the courses offered at LC were not made available to freshmen in Crown Point. No LC does not need a second High School. Yes, it may be crowded - but the educational resources and opportunities are there. Remodeling seems to be the best way to accomodate any additional growth and still provide the quality of education our children need. QUALITY SHOULD BE THE CONCERN, NOT QUANTITY. "

Realist wrote on Jan 5, 2009 3:38 PM:

" Regarding the comment about Obama helping with a plan; he will be much too busy performing other miracles such as stopping floods, curing the sick and giving sight to the blind. "

TAX PAYER wrote on Jan 5, 2009 3:24 PM:

" I like this debate. I sent 4 kids through the Lake Central School System. My oldest was a slacker. He's had to make up prereqs in college and is on the 8 year plan. My next two did fine and qualified for scholarships. My last was always in trouble or detention but graduated. He starts college this year. Lake Central is what you make of it. Having two schools would have made it easier to make the varsity teams. Having large graduating classes makes it hard to know your classmates. "

Growth wrote on Jan 5, 2009 3:20 PM:

" I would guess a large amount of growth in the area has occurred in the last 15 years. If the school board isn't willing to even consider a second high school just to not stray from their original course, there is something wrong there. I believe that the Freshman Center has been outgrown & the freshman are not segregated. Great way to plan ahead. "

Re Move again wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:58 PM:

" The opportunity offered by this "someone unclear and unfamiliar with the community and the school he has walked in to" was orchestra. I would think class size and safety would matter to more parents than orchestra. I was not here in 1993 & have already said we made a poor choice if this is the community's way of thinking. Their Freshman Center concept did not work anyway because the school board has already admitted that the Freshman are intermixed with the other classes. Time to try something new. "

re to move wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:57 PM:

" What opportunities would be lost versus gained with a second school? Give details instead of sugar coating with general comments like losing opportunities. "

It is not just about the numbers wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:29 PM:

" I agree that it is not just about numbers. What needs to be considered is the future of Lake Central. The "band aide" approach that the school board has used in the past does not look towards the future. 95 million dollars to renovate a 40 year old school, with the possibility of millions more to build a freshman or vocational center in the near future. That is not looking toward the future. Do you really think the people of Schererville, Dyer, and St. John are going to approve another bond in 5 years? NO WAY!! Fix it now. Also building a second school with an enrollment of 1600 would not be considered small. There would be all the opportunities (maybe more) that Lake Central currently has. "

Stop and THINK.... wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:19 PM:

" If you stop and think for a bit.... you will find that BOTH sides have valid points. HOWEVER statistics SHOW that smaller schools do better.... yes I moved here for the schools.... THAT's THE ELEMENTARY and Middle!!! I like SOOOOO many others hoped they would have made a WISE, EDUCATED decision before my children reached High School.
The programs they offer to accomadate so many kids would not need to be so many if it were a smaller school. Your child could go out for the more popular things and stand a greater chance of involvement than trying out for some out of the way club or sport that isn't followed much anyway!
By the way... The BOARD elected the "new" Superintendent.... I believe we ALL know what their agenda has been for the past 15 years... which is OUTDATED!!!! This area is growing.... FACE it! It will continue to grow IF we can provide an A+ school! Learn from mistakes made.... just stop and think. "

re to re move wrote on Jan 5, 2009 2:00 PM:

" The Lake Central schools have made it very clear when they built the freshman center in 1993 that they were not planning on building a new high school. They have stuck to that plan all along. You should have done better research. Also, the "good not great" is a comment from someone unclear and unfamiliar with the community and the school he has walked in to. Everyone is lost on the numbers. Size is not and should not be the issue. Quality of education should be! They could build 10 high schools and have 300 kids in each. That does NOT mean those schools will be better. Stop looking at the number and focus on what is being provided the students. Due to the size there are MANY opportunities that individuals at smaller schools do not have access to! Building another school would also remove MANY of those opportunities "

Pulling the wool over our eyes wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:34 PM:

" Why do the architects need to build flexiblity into their model so that the school could accommodate 200 more students - making the total size 3700 students? The Board members are so certain the demographic study is correct at a MAX of 3500 students. Who are they trying to fool? Ask for $93 million now and another $xx million in four years to build a Freshman center at Blaine? Enough already. Two schools is the only sensible option. "

re to megacentral wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:30 PM:

" Obviously you are unaware.

They DID go and get someone from the outside. They have a new superintendent from outside of this area. They have 2 new school board members unaffiliated with those of the past. Plus, one other new one from the previous election also unaffiliated! The problem is people like you that are solely looking at the size. The number of students makes NO difference. It is the level of education being provided! To put a number comment like you did is the same as saying IU in Bloomington is much larger than Cal College in Whiting so you get a better education at Cal. The bottom line is what matters...are the students learning? Yes so therefore the issue of size is NOT an issue. "

Tell the whole story wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:27 PM:

" 'It would cost $3.6 million per year to operate a second facility.' What are the additional costs of running a larger school? Dr. Chabot is finally providing some details that should have been presented without concerned parent prodding. But he continues to only present one side of the story. "

re to Concerned parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 1:09 PM:

" That is the LAST things these kids need! They are far to over protected and need to have the cords cut. LC students are far to immature and out of touch with reality. Many have a sense of entitlement! They need to make things harder on them. They have it WAY to easy. The best thing you can do for your child is to move. Not because of the size. Not because of the education. Simply because most of the students don't understand and/or appreciate what they have been given by their families. Remove the silver spoons and let them learn to wipe their own butts! "

Re Move wrote on Jan 5, 2009 12:24 PM:

" We moved here because we found a nice house in a nice neighborhood at a decent price. We were certain by the time we had children that were high school age that there would be 2 high schools. I guess the decision we made 12 years ago was a poor one. I now have a 3rd grader & the decisions being made right now WILL effect his education. It is a decent school but even the phrase "Good, not great, not premiere" has been used to describe the school by the powers that be. Do you honestly think it is going to get better if it gets bigger? Ninety-Five Million to house 400 more students is ridiculous. "

LC PARENT wrote on Jan 5, 2009 12:06 PM:

" I think Dave Dickson should mind his own business. First he has no children in the school district and second he did a bang up job with Hammond Schools, that is the reason people are leaving Hammond with their school age children. When my children were in the Hammond school system Dickson did favor some schools over another, the children had to share math,and science books, etc. Plus computers were no where to be found. This was only five years ago that we moved out of Hammond. "

Expert wrote on Jan 5, 2009 12:06 PM:

" Is LC going to give Dixon a Dodge Durango to drive to these meetings like he had when he was superintendent at Hammond?? "

Say no to new taxes wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:53 AM:

" Worst economy in 25 years and they want to blow over $100 million on a high school remodel job, what are these people thinking?

$12 million for a "transportation center"?
Time for Lake Central to get out of the bus business and put it out for bid from private contractors like they do in Illinois.

If towns in the district had levied impact fee's on new construction like they did in Illinois years ago they would have the money today WITHOUT burdening long time residents who paid for the existing schools.

VOTE NO ON THE LAKE CENTRAL BOND ISSUE "

MegaCentral wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:47 AM:

" 900 students is the ideal size of a high school for learning and involvement. 1200 to 1500 students is the ideal size of a high school when cost of operation is considered vs. ideal size for learning and involvement.
3,000 plus students is a disaster with 1/2 the students left behind and falling thru the cracks of mega bureaucracy.
The WRONG administrators are making decisions at Lake Central. Perhaps we need someone from OUTSIDE the current system. Bigger is not better in education when >700 students in elementary, >1500 students in high school, or >1000 students in middle school. "

What is the role of a school board wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:46 AM:

" When the topic of a second school was mentioned at a recent school board meeting the current board members seemed suprised. The residents in attendance were told that a second school was not considered because there was "no merit". That the demographic study showed the school will not exceed 3500 students. Juding by comments in this artical, now it seems that the board is concerned about the size of the school. Build a vocational center on the property on Blain? The property on Blain happens to be twice the size of the property Lake Central currently sits on, perfect for an additional school. Is there "no merit" to a second school, or is the school board just concerned about taxes? I thought they were supposed to be concerned about the students! "

Concerned parent wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:29 AM:

" I think they should build a second school to house the Freshmen and Sophmores and leave the Juniors and Seniors at the existing school. Not only would it help with overcrowding, it would help keep the younger children from getting influenced by the older children. "

80s wrote on Jan 5, 2009 11:04 AM:

" I'm not sure which Lake Central your husband attended, but it clearly was NOT this one! I had to complete a research paper each of the 4 years I attended LC in the 80's. He may have not been taught the same thing as you had, but maybe it was because LC went above and beyond what your school did. My basic LC education helped me test out of Spanish, as well as, one year of math and English at IU. It was a great education and prepared me for college more than many of my peers! "

MOVE wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:58 AM:

" DON'T LIKE THE WAY LC IS DOING THINGS? MOVE!! Put a sign in front of your house sell it and go someplace else. Oh wait most of you moved here because of how good the schools are. Yes they are a top notch school and one of the best in the state! Look at their graduation rate, not just from high school, but also graduates who go on to graduate from college. "

Deep Thoughts wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:01 AM:

" The board is throwing out numbers that are ridiculous just to sway people on the cost factor. With a new school, the board has not even investigated new construction grants or talked to other schools on how they made it work. How can a town like Hobart and Crown Point do it, and our three towns can't build a new one or a new one and renovate the existing structure. That way, a new admin building would not be needed too. Get real and do the right thing for our kids even if it's a tough decision! "

3 Kids wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:57 AM:

" Each person went to school at one point in time, and it's everyone's responsibility whether you have kids or not. Otherwise, you are being selfish. There are ways to make 2 high schools work if the board gets creative, but given recent sight, they are on a one track mind. If the board was doing their job, the students would not be in an overcapacity school with modulers and insufficient time to get lunch as we speak. "

Gary wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:38 AM:

" I say bus all of the children to Gary. They have plenty of room in their schools. That would be a great way for the communities to burden the current tax shortages. I love the City of Gary. "

From the late 80s wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:37 AM:

" My husband graduated from Lake Central in the late 80's. He was not in honor classes, nor was he in any special need classes. He was just a normal kid who didn't stand out in any way and got ignored. And he's not the only one. He and his friends are a smart group of guys, just don't try to talk literature or vocabulary with them. I am constantly amazed at things that he never had to do or books that he never had to read. He never even had to write a term paper. He'd be the first to tell you that his school was too crowded then, I can't imagine what it's like now. Schererville needs to build it's own school. "

Division wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:35 AM:

" How do all of these other communities do it? Some school corporations have 3 and 4 high schools. Look across the border in Illinois. They seem to be working fine. I think it would bring the community closer together with 2 schools. As for drawing the lines, they seem to do it fine now with the elementary and middle schools. And why would the curriculum change? Does Higland and Munster have less curriculum because they are smaller than Lake Central? "

COME VOICE YOUR OPINION wrote on Jan 5, 2009 9:01 AM:

" There is a school board meeting tonight. Please come be heard. It is time to fix the problem. There is a task force meeting to push the referendum scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30 at the High School where the agenda says to bring your questions and comments. "

Ramifications wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:57 AM:

" How about the ramifications of having 3,700 students in a building? Are you KIDDING me? Remember these are TEENAGERS.... NOT college students.... the hormonal levels are INSANE! Fights break out .... this is clearly a safety issue. How about the fact that kids get detention all the time, because they can't make it from one side of the school to the other without being LATE!!! NO amount of "quick" music will help this if the student count keeps rising! Why do you need to build a $12 million transportation center/admin center? At least they are becoming more accurate on their numbers.... get a little more realistic now!
I personally would pay $100 more a year to provide education to students.... instead of having a bunch of dropouts and deliquents! They might want to start listening to the VOTERS!!! "

LC alum wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:32 AM:

" You know I'm sorry I'm a Lake Central alum and the school was too crowded when I attended there 10 years ago. I think the whole emotional argument concerning splitting the district if another high school is built will be non-existant as time goes on. We have 3 middle schools now and that argument was never brought to people's attention or is not an issue. No matter if one has kids or not, children will affect our community and they deserve an effective educational environment. "

k wrote on Jan 5, 2009 8:27 AM:

" I think they need to quit fixing the current problems and start looking long term. Schererville has needed their own High School for years. They already have large class sizes. It's time to bite the bullet and just do it! The growth in the communities are growing leeps and bounds. What are they going to do 5 years from now.... add on again.

Build a new high school already.... It's needed! "

WHY wrote on Jan 5, 2009 7:58 AM:

" I don't have kids why should I have to shoulder the extra tax? Maybe it is time for the towns to have their own Highschool. And each town pay for their own new high school. Instead of one MEGA school where the smaller kid gets left behind. Obama may help with that plan. "

Back to story 156 comment(s)

Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.

Marketplace

Sections

Services

Other Publications

Search