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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26.2001 <br />representative of that commitment. The Adams project as well as the other four (4) high schools <br />stand independent of the current re- districting discussions. Those discussions are limited to the <br />elementary and middle schools of the school corporation. <br />The Board of School Trustees addressed the Adams project at numerous public board meetings, and <br />special work sessions as well as a series of public hearings on the financing of the proj ect as required <br />by Indiana law. The Board has sought public input at all phases of the planning. The constraints <br />of the Adams site presented special challenges for the school corporation in completing a design that <br />addresses the needs for a comprehensive twenty -first century high school. <br />The school corporation approached the Park Department and initially requested that the Park <br />Department give the school corporation the land between the existing Adams site to a point just east <br />of and including the current Potawatomi softball field. That request was denied. Subsequently, <br />community members stepped forth and initiated discussions with the City that led to a compromise <br />involving a Shared Use Agreement between the school corporation and the Park Board for portions <br />of the Potawatomi park property. The Park Department Board and the South Bend Community <br />School Corporation Board of School Trustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding for this <br />Shared Use Agreement at their respective meetings last Monday evening. Both public entities <br />embrace this concept as a win -win for both the Park Department and the school corporation. The <br />Shared Use Agreement allows the school corporation to provide needed outdoor physical education <br />and athletic facilities at Adams High School. The implementation of this plan is dependent of <br />Council approval of the closing of Greenlawn Avenue between Wall Street and Mishawaka Avenue. <br />Mr. Stump stated that it is important to note that the outdoor physical education and athletic facilities <br />on the site, as well as the upgrades at school field, account for just $2.75 million dollars of the $45.8 <br />million dollars to be invested in the project. The bulk of the project costs are allotted for upgrades <br />and additions to the academic areas of the school with these programs being a priority. The need <br />for physical education and athletic facilities go hand in hand with the academic program in providing <br />a comprehensive program for the students of the Adams High School community. <br />Mr. Stump further stated that they are requesting the Council's support to vacate a portion of <br />Greenlawn to allow the school corporation to move forward with the proposed site plan. Mr. Stump <br />introduced Ms. Sheila Bergeron, a member of the South Bend Community School Corporation <br />Board of School Trustees and Mr. Richard Hebard of Hebard and Hebard Architects who explained <br />the current site plan for the Adams High School project. <br />Ms. Bergeron thanked all who have been involved in this project. She stated that a question was <br />raised earlier about whether there was a problem with redistricting and whether that could affect this <br />project. She assured the Council that this project will not be affected by any redistricting as the <br />Board is committed to maintaining five (5) high schools. They believe that smaller is better than <br />larger and they are also pleased with the present high school make -up and the population has been <br />stable. Ms. Bergeron stated that it was indicated that individuals would like to see a plan for <br />redistricting. Currently there is no such plan and the redistricting of the high schools will not be <br />addressed for the next two (2) years. Ms. Bergeron informed the Council that Adams High School <br />has many needs. The expansion will include an auditorium and a cafeteria. With closed lunches, <br />the need for a larger cafeteria and dining area has increased. Athletic fields will continue to be <br />needed and used. The closing of Greenlawn will make Adams High School an appealing campus. <br />This expansion project will allow the school to have their athletic events or teams on site as well as <br />a track and tennis courts which they need. Soccer and baseball teams will use school field. In <br />conclusion, Ms. Burgeron noted that the letters that were handed out to the Council are from the <br />members of the River Park Businessmen Association showing their support. <br />Mr. Richard Hebard informed the Council that he is the architect for this project. He pointed out <br />and explained various expansion aspects and some of the key issues of the project utilizing a large <br />scale site plan. He noted that the track will not fit on the current site with the expansion project as <br />slated. The athletic facilities and physical education facilities that will be maintained on the site with <br />this site plan are the six (6) tennis courts on the northeast corner of the site and the junior varsity <br />football field internal to the track area. He noted that it is proposed that the varsity softball team will <br />share the current softball diamond facility at Potawatomi Park. In another area, a practice field for <br />