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CITY OF SOUTH BEND <br />STEPHEN J. LUECKE, MAYOR <br />OFFICE OF THE MAYOR <br />June 18, 2008 <br />Commissioner Cheryl A. Musgrave <br />Indiana Government Center North <br />100 North Senate Avenue NI058(B) <br />Indianapolis, IN 46204 <br />Dear Commissioner Musgrave: <br />Thank you for your letter of June 9th, which arrived in my office yesterday aftemoon. I <br />appreciate the opportunity tb comment on financing the four projects proposed- by the South - <br />Bend Comirtunity School Corporation. I fully support this investment in our children and <br />encourage your quick action to approve this financing. <br />You raise several important issues in your letter that warrant further explication. First, <br />though the original financing documents called for demolition ofthe current Marquette Prim <br />Cent4e School Corp. at my request has agreed to consider alternate uses for that buildinpip <br />is my prezerence to save structures when possible and to find suitable alternate uses when tfie <br />original use is no -longer practical. The School Board and Superintendent have determined that <br />the old school does not meetthe space needs for tUe new Montessori -magnet program- which will <br />be implemented at the site. I trust their judgment,in this matter. I also do riot believe that there <br />would be substantial cost savings from renovating the current building rather than building new.. <br />In fact, long term operating costs would be substantially higher in the old building than a new <br />one, running up costs for taxpayers over the life of the building. <br />Let me assure you that the South Bend School Corporation does not make decisions <br />_. _.:._.about new versus -remodeling. -without serious analysis. You will -note that another ofthe.prajects <br />included in this financing is a renovation of Monroe Primary Center. The School Corp. has also <br />recently renovated Madison and Jefferson Primary Centers and Adams High School. They seek <br />'to do whdf is best for the community and for our students . I am;ptottd that South Bend Schools <br />continues to invest in our older and lowerincome neighborhoods, providing quality. fa iliaes for <br />all our students: <br />G <br />iv <br />COUNTY-CIrY BUn iNG • 227 W. JEFFERSON BOULEVARD • SOUTH BEND, INDUNA 46601 <br />PHONE 574/235-9261 • FAx 574/235-9892 • TDD 574/235-5567 <br />