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BURKET - Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. is investigating possible housing facilities for the corporation's alternative education students.
Monday, superintendent Dr. Karen S. Boling laid out six scenarios for parents concerned about Burket Elementary School's future.
The possibilities are: moving Burket Elementary School's staff and students to Mentone Elementary and using Burket for the program, leasing facilities at Yellow Creek Campground, housing the program at Mentone Elementary School, buying a modular classroom or bringing the students to Tippecanoe Valley High School for a "school within a school."
"We want a reaction," Boling said to the 50 people gathered at the meeting. Moving the Burket school will be an emotional issue, the board said.
The corporation will hold a community meeting to hear public comment on the issue. No specific time or date was announced.
"I don't want Burket (Elementary School) to leave. I think we can do something better," said Ann Wiesehan, a parent.
North Central Indiana Cooperative is the organization currently teaching alternative education for the five area school districts. Board president Tom Weaver described the alternative education students as "students that don't fit in in the classroom."
Tippecanoe Valley board set an April deadline to have the housing issue hammered out. The alternative education program will be in their hands in the next school year.
A year ago, NCI purchased a facility in Warsaw for $468,000, including all the repairs and upgrades, the school board said. The five school corporations helped pay for the facility. Next school year, the facility will be empty. The building is for sale.
"I can't imagine recouping" the money, board member Hal D. Hoffman said.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are president Tom Weaver, vice president Hal Hoffman, secretary Mark Wise, David O'Brien and Rod Eaton. Superintendent is Dr. Karen S. Boling.
