SILVER LAKE - Warsaw Schools Superintendent Dr. David McGuire did not budge from his idea that two four-section schools be constructed by the Warsaw Community Schools Corp. in the next three years.

Nor would he agree to recommend one of the schools be built in the southeast area of the district, during redistricting negotiations, as requested by a member of the community.

McGuire faced about 60 Silver Lake residents united in their opposition to closing the local elementary school and having their children bused to Winona Lake.

Introduced by Cindy Rosenbarger, president of the Parent-Teacher Organization, McGuire sat with her and WCS board member Gene England, former Silver Lake teacher and principal.

Saying he knew the benefits of attending a small school (he was a Burket Elementary student during the sixth, seventh and eighth grades), McGuire advised those gathered that the decision to build the new schools is "based purely on economics. It has nothing to do with the good things happening in this school."

He said the school board is open to any location. The Grace College property, past the college's practice soccer field, could be a "straight-up swap" for the Jefferson Elementary School grounds adjacent to the campus.

A four-section school provides four classrooms for each grade.

McGuire referred to Silver Lake as a "bedroom community" because most people leave each day to work in other locations.

"People move here for the lifestyle, a quiet place to raise kids," he said.

"And to have a local community school," someone said from the audience. The comment was met with tremendous applause.

Town council president Gail Owens asked all Warsaw Community High School graduates to stand. About 20 people rose to their feet. Then he asked for former Silver Lake students to stand and about 20 more people stood.

"You see," Owens said, "we don't die and go away. You have your minds made up. We're going to stay here and we won't go away."

McGuire said the school district would be drawing new district lines, a determination made by "someone who redistricts for a living." He added he and the school board would have input into the process and it probably would be open to a public hearing.

"I have a feeling if you recommended it (building a four-section school in the southeast), they would value your opinion," said Lisa McCoy, a PTO member.

"This is not a popularity contest," McGuire said. "Redistricting will be where the population is, for good, bad or indifferent. We have to do what makes sense."

Having small children on a bus to Winona Lake for an hour to an hour-and-a-half, one direction, didn't make sense to many people present.

Many thought that bus ride unfair and that it would take away family time with children spending 10 hours a week riding a bus.

The superintendent did not have any transportation cost figures available.

Transportation funds come from a separate account, he said, and costs would be worked out later, when the routes were known.

He said the general fund provides money for salaries, utilities and supplies and that fund is at the maximum.

Asked why money can't be transferred, McGuire said 1 percent of capital projects can be transferred to the general funds this year and 2 percent next year.

"Why do we have separate funds," someone asked.

"The legislators feel we'd cheat people," McGuire said. "Our common enemy is ignorance on the part of our legislators."

He was advised to lobby the legislators and McGuire said that had been tried.

The district will have to borrow $30 million to build the proposed buildings.

Closing the school will save $100,000 per year, or $400,000 when Silver Lake, Claypool, Jefferson and Atwood's doors are shut to students.

"You're denying kids the facilities they deserve," McGuire said at one point, after several passionate pleas to keep Silver Lake Elementary open.

Former students, now adults with children of their own, stepped forward to say what a wonderful school Silver Lake is, how they believe the teachers and staff cared about them and how that caring stayed with them through their lives.

"When I left here it was so confusing," one woman said. "Warsaw High School only taught me to hate my teachers, hate homework, hate the hustle and bustle. You're not even acting like you care.

"You're just hell-bent to have your way. There's nothing wrong with this school. You have no reason, no reason to close this school."

"You've said this is an issue of what the community wants," England said. "What community? Where? No one has come up to me and said they want a new school."

McGuire said a lot of people have told him a new school is wanted.

"We went through all this with Save our Schools last year," England said, referring to the plan to close the school earlier. "We won that battle and have lost the war. I'm just one dissenting vote on the school board."

McGuire said the school board would vote on the new building project at the June 16 school board meeting. Lease Determination Hearings and a "10-28" hearing will be held on that date.

A 10-28 is required by the state when any school corporation plans a building program. Certain financial information is to be provided - the maximum cost of the project, how long the debt will take to pay off and if there will be an increase in property taxes.

The two new schools could be in operation in the fall of 2006, McGuire said.

"How can you vote on the 10-28 without knowing where the property is or how much it will cost?" Jeff Dotson said. "We can't even remonstrate without knowing what you have planned. Does that make sense to you?"

McGuire said it did. [[In-content Ad]]