On June 2, the Plymouth School voted to table any further discussion, at least for the time being, concerning an idea to offer bus service to students who live in adjacent school districts. At the May meeting of the Board, permission was given to pursue the costs and feasibility of busing students from Argos and Culver to the Plymouth Schools.
The State of Indiana allows students to attend schools outside of their own districts. The Plymouth Schools (PCSC) already has some 200 plus students who fall into that category enrolled. According to Assistant Superintendent Andy Hartley, 50 of those students come from Argos and 35 come from Culver. PCSC does not charge any tuition for out of districts students, but they are compensated per student by the State.
PCSC Director of Facilities, Dave Schoof, reported the findings of his research on the matter. Schoof said it would cost $15,427 annually for the 11.8 mile trip to Argos including costs for fuel, maintenance and drivers. He said it would be approximately a 40-45 minute drive time. He went on to say that picking up children in the Culver School District would mean traveling 13.6 miles one way at a cost of $16,104 each year. He estimated the trip would take 55 minutes. Schoof said that adding the additional routes would mean using two of the eight spare buses in the corporation’s fleet. He went on to say that they have recruited five new drivers for the upcoming year.
Board member Larry Pinkerton shared his thoughts on the matter saying, “The state has put us in a position to keep enrollment up and get new students.” He said schools are using marketing such as TV and billboards to attract new students.
Speaking from the audience was Judy Delp. Delp handed out copies of information compiled by the state on enrollments. According to the handouts, Plymouth Schools had 3,766 students enrolled for the 2014-2015 school year, Argos had 611 for the same period, and Culver had 860. According to Delp, the numbers reflect a loss of 9 percent or 64 students from Argos, 20 percent or 215 students from Culver, and a gain by the Plymouth Schools of 6 percent or 229 students
Delp, who is employed by the Argos Schools, said, “My concern is that we’re headed to a county school.” She went on to say, “It is like “big boy” coming to town to flex his muscles.” “My comments are not about dollars and cents. It’s my heart.” However her spouse, Mike Delp, came from a different position. Mike Delp said, “In my mind, I’m all about Plymouth growing. As a taxpayer, if more students mean increasing facilities, then I would balk.” He added, “It would not be because the city is growing.”
Also speaking from the audience were Brett Sanders and Judy Ditmire who both sit on the Argos School Board. Sanders indicated he wouldn’t have a problem with busing Argos students to Plymouth if it were a matter of a better fit for kids, but not about revenue. Ditmire simply asked, “Why now? What was the driving force?”
Michele Riise, superintendent of Argos Schools, said, “Why was Argos and Culver targeted and not Union-North and Triton.”
Hartley indicated that they began discussion when the state budget projections came out.
After listening to the opinions from the audience and other Board members, Board President Todd Samuelson said, “I’m going to speak for myself. I’m not in favor of this. This is not something I’m ready to do.” He went on to say that when they began enrolling students from other districts, one of the criteria was that parents/guardians had to provide transportation.
Board member Jenny Sickmiller said, “We are not in a desperate situation at this time.” Fellow Board member Melissa Christiansen agreed saying, “This is a decision that we can bring back anytime.” But Christiansen added that by keeping enrollment up it provides for Plymouth Schools students. Board member Larry Holloway had already questioned the idea saying ,”Is there a point where professionalism is out of bounds?”
Pinkerton finally made the motion to table the matter saying, “At this point and time, I agree with “Sammy” (Todd Samuelson).
The vote to table was 4-1 with Holloway casting the lone no vote for tabling as opposed to dismissing the matter.
After the meeting, PEA (Plymouth Education Association) Co-President Laura Kruyer said, “As Mr. Pinkerton stated, the State of Indiana has created this atmosphere of competition among community schools.” “The newly approved budget for Indiana includes about a 2.3 percent annual increase in school spending. However, researching the topic a little further, it is revealed that much of that new money goes toward vouchers and charter schools.” she said.
“In addition, the House of Representatives redesigned the complexity index. The complicity formula is used to calculate the amount of money our local schools receive from the state.” Kruyer said. “Small community schools are hardest hit by this new complexity index as state revenues are increasing based on student enrollment numbers. This situation has led to increased competition among community schools and aggressive marketing tactics by school corporations.” she said.
During the Board meeting, Kruyer called for schools boards, superintendents, teachers, and parents of small town communities to join together. She said, “Reductions in funding for small town schools is an attack on the very heart of our communities. It is our united voice that will be heard the most.”
Carol Anders Correspondent
