Both sides - "Give us a chance"
Contrasting views blur public meeting's aim
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Delphi Community School Corporation Superintendent Ralph Walker planned to discuss details and answer questions related to recently approved elementary school re-alignment plans at a public meeting held Thursday night in the Camden school gymnasium.

What he and DCSC board members Jim Garrison, Jerry Sparks and Mike Shoemaker hoped for and what they received at the Thursday night meeting were disparaging.

As reported in last week's Comet, Walker said the aim of the meeting was to help "clear up misconceptions and get the truth out" regarding elementary re-alignment.

Residents in attendance listened to opening statements by Walker, but informed the board they still were not pleased with the re-alignment plan. Patrons called for the board to rescind its approval of the plan so residents could have more time to contrive a plan of which they would approve.

A main concern was the school would no longer house first through fifth-grade classes. Some patrons from the Camden area said they moved to the town because of its small school and class sizes and would consider moving out of the school district if the plan was kept in place.

The board contended Camden is part of DCSC and must do its part to relieve burdens weighing on the entire school corporation.

Board member Jerry Sparks said although he voted against the plan, he would lend his full support now that it had been approved.

"If you give it a chance, this could be a premier educational center," Sparks explained. "I don't like it, but I'm going to fight to make it work."

Resident Brad Powlen asked school representatives to consider a plan suggested to him by board member Melinda Rossetter. The plan called for a section of each grade to remain at Camden and for each teacher to instruct students on every subject.

"It's how it was done 30 years ago," Powlen said. "It worked well then and it can work now. Just give us a chance."

After he listened to Powlen's explanation, Walker explained Rossetter told him earlier that day the plan would not work.

At the close of the meeting, residents asked the board if anything said had made an impact. The board responded they would take comments and unanswered questions under advisement.