District discusses plans to repurpose elementary school

GOSHEN, Ind.- Growing career and technical pathways in the recent years have led Goshen Community Schools (GCS) to repurpose Chandler Elementary School.

For the last few years, the Indiana legislature, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) have considered ways to "reinvent" the high school experience.

Skilled workers are needed to replace retirees in the trades, and many of the jobs may be learned in high school through internships, apprenticeships, or training.

This includes pathways which lead directly to skilled, high wage, high demand careers in the Elkhart County area.

Chandler Elementary School will be repurposed as a career and technical education center for Goshen High School students.

Selecting Chandler in no way indicates negativity about the school; Chandler has a dedicated staff, and the students continue to demonstrate academic growth.

Chandler was chosen because it is close to Goshen High School.

Its centralized location to three other elementary schools also offers proximity for Chandler students to attend school at nearby elementary buildings.

Steve Hope, Superintendent of GCS, stated that, "GCS is repurposing Chandler Elementary School to meet the immediate needs of our students... we have an increased student and parent need for career and technical education classes in particular, manufacturing and construction along with certified nursing assistants, some other career and technical education classes."

Hope added, "Of course, anytime there's a change... People are not always going to take that well. But when it comes down to using taxpayer money, being fiscally responsible, this is the best move for Goshen community schools."