New Schools, Other Big Changes Possible with EVSC Plan

A giant new North High and Middle School is the centerpiece of a major overhaul to the current physical structure of the EVSC, and could be the catalyst to heading off future overcrowding, says Superintendent Dr. Vince Bertram. The new head of the school corporation unveiled his Strategic Agenda for the future Monday night before about 150 people in the Central High School Auditorium. It calls for several changes at EVSC facilities, the biggest of which would rearrange and restructure where kids in the North district go to class. Bertram wants to build the new facility in the McCutchanville area, and turn old North High School in to a middle school. His plan would also close Howard Roosa, and Turn Evans in to a K-5 school. Central district would see the closing of Ceder Hall, and the transition of Harwood in to a K-8. Lincoln would also become a K-8. Bosse District would see a mixed transition, as Culver students would move to Glenwood, which would become a K-8. Culver would then turn in to an Early Childhood Learning Center. Lodge would also go K-8 Bertram wants to install Early Childhood Learning Centers throughout the corporation that would be open to all EVSC children as a means of closing the learning gap between poor and middle class children, which Bertram says begins even before kindergarten. In Harrison District, classrooms would be added at Stockwell and Plaza Park. There are minimal changes slated for Reitz District. In a press release issued at the start of Bertrams presentation Monday, he is quoted as saying, "Simply redrawing lines and bussing students from the north to underutilized facilities in the south, is not a good option for families. Families make decisions on where they will live based on the schools they want their children to attend and redrawing the lines could inherently change where they would report to school. And we want to be a positive contributor to economic growth. Where the schools are is where families will locate and are locating." Members of the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association in attendance at the meeting worry about the cost of constructing a brand new school and remodeling several others to serve as K-8. VCTA president David Coker said of the possibility of higher taxes to fund the schools, "My people are all tapped out." Superintendent Bertram says the corporation could fund a new school under the current funding formula without raising taxes. Several public meetings will be held to get input on Bertrams plan.