Changes are coming to South Bend schools, and this is your chance to have a say.
An architecture firm plans to help the district downsize and has proposals for the public to comment on. Different scenarios of which South Bend schools could close or be repurposed.
The design firm says changes will save the district funding, but some teachers and parents are concerned on where jobs and programs will go.
Three proposals presented by design firm Fanning Howey:
- One scenario keeps all four high schools open
- The second closes Clay High School
- The third option closes Clay and turns Riley High School into a middle school
"What we want people to really understand is that a scenario isn't just one whole thing, that you can choose several things from different scenarios to give us feedback on,” said Tracy Richter, HPM Vice President of Planning Services.
The firm says it is looking to create a clean feeder pattern from kindergarten through 12th grade and save the district money that could go to the classroom instead of keeping buildings open that are not fully utilized.
But some parents and teachers say it is not about the money saved to them, but about these teachers' jobs, the academic programs of these schools, and where it will all go. Including Erica Andis, a fifth-grade teacher at Swanson Elementary School.
"If they do that, where do we go, you know? We signed up for this program. We've been teaching this program for 11 years, for me, longer for others. Where do we go?" said Erica Andis, Swanson Traditional School Teacher.
The school district says it will look at the facilities, then at realigning the programs, and adds it's also taking these concerns into account.
But some, Tuesday night, leaving the meeting with a lot of questions.
Andis says she is also concerned for her son who is a sophomore at Riley High School and whether he will get to finish the academic program he's started.
She says she would like to see more details on what will happen to the people affected by these changes, before choosing which scenario she would choose.
Adding, a final decision on this, set for next month, feels soon.
"I can't make a decision on what I’m gonna do if I don't have all those pieces," said Andis.
The meetings for public input continues Wednesday night, along with an online survey.