New Prairie Asks For Community Input On Elementary Enrollment

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. -- Parents and community members gathered Monday night for the first of three meetings hosted by the New Prairie United School Corporation to discuss the district’s future enrollment challenges.

Superintendent Paul White said that while overall enrollment has dipped since the pandemic, two new housing developments in Olive Township could add at least 100 new students over the next five years. Olive Elementary, already operating at 90% capacity, is expected to feel the most impact from this.

Expanding the school could cost about $3 million, according to White, who emphasized the importance of seeking community input before any decisions are made.

“I’d like to think in time that things can be organized or managed in a way that our in-district student population needs and out-of-district student needs and interests can both be met and continue to be met in the manner in which it has in the last, about 20 to 15 years,” said White.

Additional meetings are scheduled for Sept. 22 at Olive Elementary and Oct. 2 at Prairie View Elementary, both starting at 6:30 p.m. A community feedback survey is also available here.