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 "Yes, we adopted option six," 54:32 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 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

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

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