Parents Raise Concerns Over Proposal To Build Complex By Castle North
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: January 7, 2013
Warrick County is no stranger to development, but a new apartment complex proposal is leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of some Newburgh parents. The complex will be built off Highway 261 next to Castle North Middle School if approved by the county's Area Plan Commission. The developer wants to build a luxury apartment complex with just over 200 units spread over nine buildings.
Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider acknowledges the location of the complex isn't ideal, but says the corporation will see that it does not affect the quality of students' education. "We feel very confident that if they are built in that location, we'll be able to handle it effectively, efficiently, safely and if they're built in another location we'll work with that too. Warrick is a growing county -- it's not the first apartment complex we've had built in the last five years," says Schneider, adding that Newburgh's Sharon Elementary School is located near an apartment complex larger than the proposed complex.
Parents, like Dawn Bratton, say they're worried about how the complex will affect traffic in the already congested area. Bratton, who is also a PTO member for Castle North Middle and Castle Elementary, says the daily pick-up and drop-off is already a lengthy endeavor. She fears the proposed apartments' traffic would make it even worse.
Bratton also questioned how the complex would affect class sizes in the neighboring Castle schools that are already nearing capacity. She says her son is in a class of 35 with "no room to move." The school board estimates the complex would add up to 60 students to the Castle School District. Administrators say there would be enough room to adequately educate those students.
"I still do not feel that building right next to Castle North is in the best interest of our children," said Bratton after she and other parents shared their concerns with the school board Monday. She and other concerned parents will send letters and appear before the Area Plan Commission in an effort to thwart the proposal.
The proposal goes before the APC next Monday, January 14 at 6 p.m. Letters of opposition or support can be sent to Sherri Rector, Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission at apc@warrickcounty.gov.
Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider acknowledges the location of the complex isn't ideal, but says the corporation will see that it does not affect the quality of students' education. "We feel very confident that if they are built in that location, we'll be able to handle it effectively, efficiently, safely and if they're built in another location we'll work with that too. Warrick is a growing county -- it's not the first apartment complex we've had built in the last five years," says Schneider, adding that Newburgh's Sharon Elementary School is located near an apartment complex larger than the proposed complex.
Parents, like Dawn Bratton, say they're worried about how the complex will affect traffic in the already congested area. Bratton, who is also a PTO member for Castle North Middle and Castle Elementary, says the daily pick-up and drop-off is already a lengthy endeavor. She fears the proposed apartments' traffic would make it even worse.
Bratton also questioned how the complex would affect class sizes in the neighboring Castle schools that are already nearing capacity. She says her son is in a class of 35 with "no room to move." The school board estimates the complex would add up to 60 students to the Castle School District. Administrators say there would be enough room to adequately educate those students.
"I still do not feel that building right next to Castle North is in the best interest of our children," said Bratton after she and other parents shared their concerns with the school board Monday. She and other concerned parents will send letters and appear before the Area Plan Commission in an effort to thwart the proposal.
The proposal goes before the APC next Monday, January 14 at 6 p.m. Letters of opposition or support can be sent to Sherri Rector, Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission at apc@warrickcounty.gov.
