School City of Hammond parents are learning this week which elementary school their children will attend after the school board voted to close three elementary schools last month as part of a cost-cutting move.
The district is closing Lew Wallace, Kenwood, and Morton elementaries at a savings estimated at $5.6 million. Wallace and Morton will be used for early childhood services and Kenwood used for storage. If left vacant, the schools could be purchased by a charter school for $1.
The district sent a letter to parents Monday explaining it’s going through an elementary school consolidation for the coming school year.
The closings will require the relocation of about 1,110 students, who will be sent to other schools.
The redistricting does not affect middle or high schools.
Parents are invited to attend an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at their new school. They will meet school leaders and receive a tour of the school.
The district said special education services would continue at a student’s new school.
Parents seeking a permanent transfer to another school learned changes would be approved based on new enrollment data, officials said.
The school district launched a cost-containment effort to slash spending after losing a property tax referendum last year.
The defeat placed the district on the radar of the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board which is empowered to warn districts they need to rein in spending so they can continue to pay bills.
The DUAB required Hammond to submit a corrective action plan to cut costs.
Besides the referendum, the district cited increased health insurance costs, salary increases for teachers, and declining enrollment as factors for its dwindling finances.
Teachers approved a new contract last week that results in them paying a larger share of their health insurance premiums and didn’t provide a salary increase.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
