Parents push back on South Bend Schools grade-level restructuring proposal

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Community School Board held a public meeting Monday night as parents questioned a proposal to restructure grade levels across the district.

The plan, referred to as “Plan C,” would move sixth graders out of middle schools and into elementary schools. Board member Mark Costello said the change would allow seventh and eighth graders to receive more focused attention. 

Elementary schools including Lincoln, Darden and Nuner would be expected to absorb the additional grade.

Several parents and teachers voiced concern about the proposal, citing both a lack of data to support better outcomes and limited classroom space.

“Where would we put sixth graders? Every classroom is being used … we’re bursting at the seams,” one Nuner Fine Arts teacher said.

Costello defended the proposal, saying an extra year in elementary school could encourage families to stay in the district. 

“My belief, if you give them an extra year in elementary when they’re a year older … that makes a big difference,” he said.

Monday’s session was the first in a series of community feedback meetings. The next presentations of Plan C are as follows.

Darden Elementary, Sept. 24 at 4:30 P.M.
Harrison Elementary, Sept. 29 at 6:00 P.M.
Brown Administration Building, Sept. 30 at 9:00 A.M.
Monroe Elementary, Sept. 30 at 4:30 P.M.