SILVER LAKE - One by one they stepped up to the microphone, pleading their case to save their elementary school.

They were orderly. They were courteous. And they were passionate in their hope that Warsaw's school board would let them keep the school that has, in their words, become "the center of their community."

Warsaw School Board met Monday in the gym at Silver Lake Elementary, with more than 275 patrons, Silver Lake residents and other interested citizens packing the gym. Many of the people attending wore sweat shirts that read, "Silver Lake Elementary - where the learning is fun."

The board's routine business took only about 20 minutes, and part of that time superintendent Dr. Lee Harman read a prepared statement about the Community Based Planning Project. It was the recommendation in the CBPP's executive summary that students might be best served by relocating them from Silver Lake Elementary that got Silver Lake parents and patrons organized in opposition.

Harman also suggested, and the board approved, further study of school facilities. The study, he said, would cost $2,000 and would "generate options for greater equity of opportunity for all students." Odle, McGuire and Shook Corp., Indianapolis, would do the study, and the target date for its completion would be June 2001.

As patrons lined up at the podium to give their views on Silver Lake Elementary and ask the board to spare it, some board members listened intently, some rarely looked up. No board members answered patrons' questions.

The Save Our Schools committee gave the board a list of prepared questions, dated Nov. 10, which school board president Craig Allebach said the board would consider and answer later. SOS also presented the board with a petition of more than 1,000 signatures (which is the approximate population of Silver Lake) of people who favor keeping Silver Lake Elementary at its present location.

Other residents expressed concern about the additional study that will be done and about the fact that it will be done by a company from outside Kosciusko County.

The location of the school is one issue patrons say is an advantage. About one-third of the elementary students either walk or ride bicycles to the school each day.

"We do not want to lose our school," said Gene England, former Silver Lake student, teacher and principal, in introductory remarks. His statement was reiterated by the 38 others who also addressed the board.

England, Lisa McCoy, Kathy Lokotar and Jeff Dotson comprise the Save Our School Committee.

Many of the speakers volunteered to work on or for the school if that would keep it open.

"Will you please tell us what we have to do to fix our school to keep our doors open," said Dan Hale. "What we have to do, we'll do."

The board heard testimony about how important the school is for the community and the fears that, if it goes, the community will die.

Several women told of how their families specifically moved to Silver Lake because of the school, so their children could be raised in a small classroom environment.

Morgan Jones, a Silver Lake sixth-grader, said she was greeted with a smile or a hug or maybe a simple hello every morning.

"The teachers here know everyone's name," she said. "Ask the kids about their experiences here."

Evelyn Bradford, a Northfield teacher, said her children attended Silver Lake Elementary, then she and her husband transferred the kids to the Manchester School system so they could avoid the large Warsaw Community High School.

"I student taught at Warsaw and I'm concerned about it," she said."I know when you have kids in trouble you miss them and you don't redirect them."

Tim Stradling, the minister at the Silver Lake Wesleyan Church, asked the board if they were considering the community issues.

"I know it is your responsibility to look out after the entire school system," Stradling said. "It is also your responsibility to protect the rights of the minority. This school serves our needs, it serves our community. It would be detrimental for it to be removed and you need to consider the impact it would have on the community."

One woman reminded the board that Silver Lake students didn't have to wear identification tags because all of the teachers know all of the children.

Several questions were asked about an additional $2,000 expenditure for further study of facilities. Allebach said no member of the board had the expertise to look at the structure of the district's buildings.

"What is the problem?" Jeff Dotson asked. "This building is in good condition. You've already spent $17,000. At what point did we decide to study the study?"

The CBPP's executive summary did not recommend further studies.

Rick Kerlin, who was a member of the CBPP committee, said that at the final meeting fewer than half of the original 50 members attended the meeting. Dr. Boyd and Dr. Ellis led the committee, he said.

"It was all their opinions," Kerlin said. "They don't live in the community. Look at the results as presented and consider how they arrived at their results."

The board expressed appreciation for the patrons' attendance and input.

"It's exciting to see this enthusiasm and quite frankly, it's refreshing," Allebach said.

The board will meet in December at Atwood Elementary. Board members are: Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, Dan Robinson, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski. Superintendent is Dr. Lee Harman. [[In-content Ad]]