South Bend School Corporation presents three options to community members for facilities master plan

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- When the South Bend Community School Corporation surveyed parents and community members on its facilities master plan, nearly 60-percent said the current plan is inadequate.

“This community leads towards programs and that’s awesome to see. Now we just have to figure out how we manage good robust programs, clearly defined pathways in order to make that happen," said Tracy Richter, Vice President of Planning HPM.

Richter, a consultant working with the school corporation, said the surveys have helped shape three new plan options, presented to the public at a meeting Thursday night.

Richter said people’s response will help create a finalized plan that balances diverse program offerings, low operating costs, and small school sizes.

“It can’t fix everything, but what it can do is align the programs the right way. It can get buildings in the right condition. It can give you the right program spaces in your buildings to support the educational model that your kids and teachers deserve," said Richter.

Each plan offered different options ranging from the creation of a career and technical center in the district — to the demolition of Clay High School where a district athletic complex would go in its place.

Parents felt overwhelmed by all the options but broke out in small groups to discuss their thoughts.

“You know high school centered sports may be less critical, however I don’t know," said one parent.

“Right now, without really studying them I would say option A. I do not like the idea of putting K-12 in the same building in a building that wasn’t built to separate them," said John Paczesny, a substitute teacher for SBSC.

The School Corporation will hold another public meeting in the fall, specifically focusing on elementary school facilities.