Petition asks Delphi trustees to rescind realignment decision

A meeting of citizens concerned about the realignment planned for the Delphi Community elementary schools was held on May 1 at the Camden Baptist Church.

Ron Swayze introduced the rest of the panel - Peter Wagoner, Pat Casserly, and Attorneys Cindy Harmon and Anne Briggs.

Wagoner, who served as moderator, stated the purpose of the meeting was to determine if there were any objectives that citizens could pursue to change the school board's decision on realignment. A feasible plan of action would be determined as the meeting progressed.

Wagoner further explained that this was not a town called meeting and that he and Casserly, both Camden Town Council members, were in attendance as concerned citizens, and not as representatives of the town.

A short calendar of dates leading to the adopted realignment was given: the public first became aware of a change at the Camden Elementary School open house on Feb. 26; the school board meeting of March 12 was the first time the school board discussed the issue at a public meeting; and realignment was passed at the April 9 board meeting.

The following concerns were expressed by those in attendance:

· Questions should have been answered before official action was taken.

· The Corporation does not know what the effect will be on transportation costs and building modifications. Nor was it discussed how full day kindergarten and pre-school programs would be funded.

· There are also questions on whether Head Start will relocate to Camden (as part of the conversion of the school to an Early Childhood Center).

· The effect on students with curriculum changes and adjusting to a new building were not given consideration.

· The question of how $200- $300,000 could be saved was not explained.

· A major concern is what will happen to the Early Childhood Center if funding is not available.

· The pressing question was could benefits being claimed be realized without reconfiguring and dismantling Camden Elementary School?

Attorney Cindy Harmon addressed the group's concern about the legal aspect of the School Board's decision. It was explained that school boards are governed by Indiana Administrative Orders and Procedures Act. The Act sets the standards courts must use to review issues. A discussion on actions and results with other school boards followed.

Organize a petition

The evening concluded with the determination to begin the plan of action by circulating a petition to determine public support. The petition asks the Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees to rescind its decision to move all Camden Elementary students in grades one through five to Hillcrest Elementary and use the Camden facility only as an Early Childhood Center.

The petition further states that the undersigned believe that the reconfiguration decision was made without adequate deliberation, factual information, public input or financial consideration. The petition states the change will be detrimental to children now attending Camden Elementary and has the potential to adversely affect all children in the Delphi Community School system.

In addition to the petition being carried by concerned citizens, a copy is available at the Camden Town Office for those interested in signing.