Opponents of the East Allen County Schools referendum and redesign plan are stepping up their criticism as the election approaches.

New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald and the New Haven Chamber of Commerce expressed disapproval Wednesday of the school district’s plans. McDonald announced the formation of a seven-member task force to examine the feasibility of seceding from the district.

McDonald said he feels forced to make the move because of the board’s refusal to close any of the district’s five high schools – a move that would save money and allow the district to strengthen academic programs. He said New Haven residents need a district with better academics, including more Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses.

“If our current school board is not willing to make the hard decisions and provide our expectations then we will do what is necessary to succeed,” McDonald said. “The kids in our district deserve a heck of a lot better.”

McDonald thinks about 2,500 students could join his proposed district, which he estimated could receive $14 million from the state. He envisions the district having two schools and said he would consider public, private or charter schools.

McDonald asked his task force, made up of longtime residents and business leaders, to “examine the procedures, the laws and the community resolve for withdrawal.”

For New Haven to withdraw from East Allen County Schools, the school board or superintendent of public instruction would have to appeal to the Indiana State Board of Education, according to David J. Emmert, general counsel for the Indiana School Board Association.

If the board were to approve the proposal, the matter would then be decided by New Haven taxpayers, who could either petition to withdraw or conduct an election.

To become its own district, an area must have at least 270 students in grades 9 through 12 or at least 1,000 students in grades 1 through 12 and have an assessed valuation per student of at least $5,000, according to Indiana law.

McDonald said he would consider lobbying for a change in the law if it becomes too difficult to withdraw. He acknowledged Gov. Mitch Daniels’ push for consolidation in schools – the opposite of what he is proposing – but remained undaunted.

“With all due respect to the governor,” he said, “consolidation doesn’t necessarily result in better government or better education.”

East Allen Superintendent Karyle Green and board President Janice Witte said they oppose the mayor’s plan.

“I don’t think it’s the best thing for East Allen County Schools, and I don’t think it’s the best thing for New Haven,” said Witte, who has said she would prefer two high schools but voted for the redesign plan. “When you’re in a larger district you have more resources to divide among the students.”

If the district were to lose students, Green said, it would lose revenue. She said she was not opposed to meeting with McDonald again and said he had been “complimentary” of the redesign plan the day the board voted on the proposal.

This month, the school board approved a district overhaul that will close six elementary schools, renovate or build several structures and maintain the district’s five high schools. The plan will save the district $6.8 million in annual costs, $1.9 million short of what the district had hoped to save.

Though the district could have saved more money by closing high schools, Green said the board honored the community’s wishes by keeping all high schools open.

If the referendum is passed Tuesday, Green has said the additional taxes will go toward strengthening the district’s academic offerings.

After the mayor’s announcement Wednesday, the New Haven Chamber of Commerce took a public stance against the referendum.

“This is an issue we feel is going to have lasting impact,” Chamber President Vince Buchanan said. “We feel strongly that change needs to happen. However, the referendum doesn’t provide for anything beyond the status quo.”

Sherri Berghoff, chairwoman of the Chamber, said the board should have closed more high schools during the redesign plan.

Because the board did not cut deeply enough during its revamp, Berghoff said, she is skeptical that the money generated by a referendum would go toward enhancing educational programs.

She noted the East Allen board had not taken a vote on how the referendum money would be spent.

“Just because they have it posted on the website doesn’t mean they have to spend it in that way,” she said.

Berghoff said businesses could not afford additional taxes now, particularly one that maintains the “status quo.”

dhaynie@jg.net