Students at Hammond Central High School and Scott Middle School staged a mid-day walkout Friday to protest proposed staffing cuts and school closures in the financially-troubled School City of Hammond, Northwest Indiana’s largest district.
More than 50 students emerged from the high school around 12:30 p.m. and eventually made their way across Calumet Avenue to protest in front of City Hall.
Chants of “Save Our Teachers” were audible and supportive honks from passing traffic were met by cheers from the assembled students.
Students carried signs with slogans such as “We support our teachers” as they rallied in front of the flagpole.
One student, who didn’t wish to be identified, said many of his classmates have younger siblings who will be negatively impacted by the closing of Kenwood, Lew Wallace, and Morton elementary schools and the ensuing redistricting.
In addition, the school board approved the layoffs of 173 employees at Tuesday’s school board meeting.
“It is not a smart decision at all,” he said. “This is why we’re out here today. We love our teachers so much. They are the only ones for us,” said the student.
He said the administrators didn’t try to stop the walkout or threaten students with consequences.
School officials acknowledged the walkout in a release Friday afternoon.
“School City of Hammond administrators are aware of our students’ desire to create a peaceful statement in support of SCH teachers with a walk out. Our primary responsibility is to keep them safe today and every day.
“We support our students with their expression of free speech today and they will not receive a consequence for a peaceful protest.”
The district has been in turmoil since voters rejected the continuation of a property tax referendum in November that would have provided about $15 million annually over eight years.
School board meetings have been contentious on the divided board with parents and teachers railing against the cuts and closings and blaming Superintendent Scott Miller
Since the referendum’s defeat, the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board has required the district to solidify a plan to erase deficit spending.
Meanwhile, the district couldn’t reach a contract deal with its teachers who filed an unfair labor practice complaint. On Tuesday, Miller said a tentative agreement was reached with the Hammond Teachers Federation. Some union members have balked at the agreement and the measure hasn’t been voted on yet.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
