# School board adopts "Option Six," closing eight Vigo County buildings to avoid an estimated $191 million in costs

## What happened
Vigo County School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Hensel told the county's Oversight Board that the school board has adopted "Option Six" — converting Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South high schools into middle schools, building one new high school, and closing eight of the district's 23 buildings — which the district's facilities consultant estimated avoids about $191 million in construction and modernization (renovation or rebuilding) costs compared with fixing up every current building. [Board cites $191 million in avoided costs, 53:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3239) ["Yes, we adopted option six," 54:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3272) The board passed over combining the district into a single high school, even though consultants said that option would save more money, citing consistent public feedback favoring smaller neighborhood schools and the geography of a district split by the Wabash River. [Board explains passing over a single "mega" high school, 57:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3474) The school corporation later revised the plan into a cheaper "Option 6.2" version, which the oversight board recommended to county commissioners on August 12. [Oversight board recommends "Option 6.2" to commissioners, Aug. 12, 27:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjykqEy8FA&t=1658)

## The outcome
No vote was taken by the Vigo County Oversight Board; the school board's adoption of "Option Six" was reported to the board as an already-made decision.

## Sources
- [Board cites $191 million in avoided costs under Option Six, 53:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3239)
- ["Yes, we adopted option six," 54:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3272)
- [Board explains passing over a single "mega" high school, 57:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cL06dGuFlI&t=3474)
- [Oversight board recommends "Option 6.2" to commissioners, Aug. 12, 27:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjykqEy8FA&t=1658)

*Also known as: Option Six · Option 6 · the six-option comparison · Devaney Elementary example · school consolidation plan · Vigo County school building plan · Terre Haute North and South consolidation*