Support voiced for Pennville

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PENNVILLE — If spending cuts are inevitable, every effort should be made to assure that communities across the county hang onto at least one school.

That was the message for the Jay School Board on Tuesday night at a special meeting at Pennville Elementary School as the board weighs the school’s closing.

After superintendent Jeremy Gulley reviewed the dire status of the school corporation’s general fund — declining enrollment and deficit spending that have led to the lowest cash balance in history — Pennville community leaders, parents and students urged the board to take a step back.

Meeting in a gymnasium that had been built by volunteers in the years before consolidation, Pennville found its voice.

“It’s a tough spot you’ve jumped into,” Pennville’s Joe Vinson told the board. “But I don’t think we have exhausted all options.”

Vinson, who has appeared before the board in past years to argue on behalf of the school, said his review of the 2015 school facilities report indicated that greater savings could be accomplished by closing Westlawn Elementary School in Dunkirk and Judge Haynes Elementary School in Portland.

While Gulley had noted Pennville’s enrollment had dropped 47 percent since 2001, Vinson maintained part of the enrollment decline was a result of changes in school boundaries that occurred during that period.

“There are some self-inflicted wounds in those numbers,” said Vinson.

By revising school district boundaries, he said, it should be possible to reach a “balanced student load” at all of the remaining elementaries.

“That viewpoint allows us to keep at least one school in each community in Jay County,” said Vinson to a spontaneous round of applause from some of the approximately 300 on hand.

Pennville businesswoman Tammy Hanlin agreed.

“It is critical that each of the major towns in the county retain a school,” she told the board. “We feel strongly about that plan (of Vinson’s).”

Hanlin noted that in many ways Pennville is economically healthier than other parts of the county, even though the elementary’s current enrollment is only 84 students.

“Pennville has over 20 small businesses,” she said. “All of them are entrepreneurs. … Pennville is the only community (in the county) that has actually had a population increase.”

Its median income of $36,719 is higher than that of the city of Portland, she noted.

That could be undone if the school closes, she said, noting that rural towns without a school inevitably decline while those with schools gain population.

“The school corporation’s short-term gain could be the county’s long-term loss,” she said.

Hanlin also cautioned that there could be an out-migration of students if Pennville Elementary is closed.

“Our parents have already received flyers from Southern Wells,” she said. “They smell blood.”

She added, “We understand a decision will be made on closing our school in March. And we are upset that we have been left out of the process.”

The potential closing of Pennville Elementary School has been weighed by the school board for more than a decade, but past boards have chosen to keep the school open.

Gulley’s presentation underscored that this time around could be different.

Total student enrollment has dropped from 5,859 in 1975 to 3,380 today, and the numbers continue to fall. Jay Schools has lost 49 students per year on average over the past 10 years.

Because the Indiana General Assembly changed school funding so that the amount of state revenue is directly tied to enrollment — the money follows the student — each student lost cost the school corporation $7,097 in state support this year.

With an enrollment decline of 74, that translated to a $525,178 drop of state funding.

“Our population has stayed the same,” said Gulley. “But our number of students has not stayed steady.”

Board members unanimously adopted a budget control framework crafted by Gulley at a January meeting. That framework includes a hiring freeze, a review of all facilities and programs, potential school closings and reductions in the number of teachers and non-certified staff.

It also includes meetings such as the one held Tuesday in Pennville.

“The board is making good on that promise tonight,” said Gulley.

Vinson thanked the board for the meeting but added, “We’ve asked for a couple years for this to happen.”

“Let’s take a hard look,” urged Chip Teagarden, “and come back with something like my friend Joe suggested. … Each town deserves a school if at all possible.”

“We are asking that we find other ways to make the cuts,” said Hanna Ault, a Jay County High School junior.

“Pennville is one of the best schools you’ll ever come across,” said middle school student Madison Springer. “This school is what holds the town together.”

Board president Kristi Betts told Pennville residents, “You’re not alone in this. … We will make every effort to answer your questions.”

The board will continue to consider the issue at its meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 in the JCHS commons.