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MARSHALL, Ind. (AP) — A western Indiana school corporation that was formed when two districts were combined a few years ago now faces a discussion about whether to merge its two high schools because of declining enrollment.
The North Central Parke Community School Corp. met this week to discuss combining Rockville and Turkey Run high schools because of falling enrollment and revenue.
"One of the most difficult decisions any school board member must make is whether to close a school, change boundary lines or consolidate schools," Superintendent Tom Rohr told school officials and residents during a meeting Wednesday. The decision can "have an emotional impact on the communities involved, perhaps for several years."
Rockville and Turkey Run both have grade K-6 elementary schools and grade 7-12 junior/senior high schools. Rohr told the (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star (http://bit.ly/1LWYkh6 ) that the small enrollments at the two high schools limit class offerings as well as extracurricular activities.
The district had about 1,300 students this past school year — down nearly 100 from four years earlier.
Many parents say a consolidation is inevitable and hope it won't cause parents to pull their children from the schools in the rural area about 25 miles northeast of Terre Haute. Many parents in Muncie did that after the city's school board voted in 2013 to close one of its two high schools.
Parents from Rockville and Turkey Run know each other and have talked.
"We're all just ready for it to happen," said Mike Simpson, who has two children attending Turkey Run school. "All the kids get along and play sports together. We see them at 4-H."
Kris Wittenmyer, who coaches dance at Turkey Run and whose children attend Rockville schools, agreed that the schools need to merge but said many parents who have children in the same school system they attended might make "one last-ditch effort" to save their schools.
"Nobody wants to give up their facilities," Wittenmyer said.
A committee will be formed to study the options and make recommendations to the board.
School board President Scott Ramsay said no changes would occur until after the 2016-2017 school year.
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Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com
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