Decisions leave lots of questions

To the editor:

We grew up in Jay County and graduated from Pennville High School. Our kids went to Pennville. I have grandkids that go to Pennville Elementary.

I have seen a lot of changes through the years, some for the good and many for the bad. I really question some of the decisions made by this school corporation.

I have read the newspaper daily for years. It has always amazed me how the school would report it is broke and then amazingly find money to fund things that are not needed. The trips to China, was that really necessary? Did we really pay for a teacher to have an apartment in Dunkirk? Is it true that Jay County Sheriff’s Office deputies get paid more by the school corporation for security, than the county pays them to work as deputies?

 Is it true that we pay John Jay Center for Learning and Jay Community Center for use of buildings? We have heard more than once, that the school buildings have extra space. Our school corporation has paid for studies that show we have extra room in the buildings.

Why do we have the auxiliary gym? It cost a lot of money to build. I’m sure it costs a lot to maintain and a lot in utilities.  

Why do we not play ball games at the Pennville Elementary gym? We load up school buses and bus both teams to the auxiliary gym. We then have to pay an extra bus driver, not to mention fuel for the extra bus.  

Why do we have the old armory building? It is less than a mile from the high school. Why not close that building and move the administrators to the high school. I have read many times that the high school has a lot of room. They want to move our kids, but they don’t want to move themselves? 

Why have we not heard from our economic development group? I have read that our Jay County Development Corporation representatives have been speaking with the superintendent. I find it hard to believe that anybody in that position would support closing a school in a small community. Is this just another mistruth being told by someone to promote a personal agenda?

Why are we not hearing from our chamber of commerce? There are more than 20 small businesses in Pennville, do they not count?  

Why have we not heard from our county council or commissioners? Where are our elected officials? Does Pennville only count during election time?

I heard that the superintendent spoke to the local leaders. I questioned which local Pennville leaders support the closing of the school. Not to my surprise, I find he spoke to one town council member and a resident. Looks like another mistruth. One town council member and a member of the public are not the town leaders. I also was told that those people do not support closing the school.

How can we be truly supported by our elected school board member? The school board member for our area does not live near Pennville, but closer to Portland. How can we assure any vote is not for self gain, when our school board member’s spouse works for the school corporation?

I have been told that Southern Wells wants our Pennville youth. Talks are already in place, for assistance with transportation.

Local talk is that a committee has been formed and is working on a charter school. I have been told that the committee is already speaking with people in Indianapolis that know charter schools.

How many kids will we lose to these other schools? When we have put a price of $7,000 a child, we can’t afford to lose many.

I have seen board members come and go. I have seen superintendents come and go. There is still one thing in common through all of the above mentioned issues. We still have the same business manager. Maybe that is part of the problem.

Thank you.

Gary Springer and Dee Dee Schumacher

Pennville