5001-23 Calling for the Continuing Use of all Current South Bend Public High Schools as High Schools

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2" SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. 23-04 RESOLUTION NO. 5001-23 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, CALLING FOR THE CONTINUING USE OF ALL CURRENT SOUTH BEND PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AS HIGH SCHOOLS Whereas, our public schools are a vital piece of our City and they do so much more than just teach children; they are hubs for the neighborhood and community, hosting continuing education courses for adults, extracurricular activities, sporting events, academic clubs, public swimming pools, open libraries, and invite the community for local events, concerts, seminars, and more; and Whereas, strong public education system is essential to the individual and collective well-being of our country and its people, and to the development of an informed and engaged citizenry; and Whereas, public education serves to develop an informed and productive workforce through a system that allows for social mobility and repeated studies which illustrate that free, universal education for children in grades K-12 can be the greatest factor in addressing inequality in society, and Whereas, our State legislature has slowly reduced funding for public schools,passed a law in which a private for profit can purchase a vacant school building for$1.00, and has new legislation proposing to take additional funding from public schools to provide to those that are home-schooled. Another Bill would make the currently non-partisan school board elections partisan party elections. Whereas, as a result of these state legislation actions, our South Bend Community School Corporation has experienced significantly reduced enrollment and reduced funding; and Whereas, the School Corporation and School Board are now facing difficult choices regarding the utilization of South Bend Community School Corporation buildings and possible changes in building uses, including closures; and Whereas, at a recent Schools Community Task Force meeting the design firm Fanning Howey three potential building utilization scenarios and began a month-long process engaging feedback on these three scenarios to better utilize buildings; and Whereas, of the three scenarios, only one kept all current high schools open as high schools and the other two options would close either one or two of the current high schools as high schools; and Whereas, the information provided to the public leaves many important questions unanswered, including, but not limited to: 1) What will happen to teachers and other employees at the affected schools; 2) What will happen to dual language programs; 3) Will the high school magnet program be eliminated; 4) How would school closures impact the surrounding neighborhoods; 5) What happens to students who are just now beginning academic programs not offered by all schools; and; Whereas; the South Bend Community School Corporation has set dates for upcoming meetings to both provide information and receive feedback prior to making any decision; and Whereas; it has been reported that the South Bend Community School Corporation plans to make a final decision next month. Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council recognizes and highlights that the Indiana State Legislature's priorities and policies have played a significant role in putting our School Corporation into the position it is in now and has provided little to no assistance or support for our School Corporation. .