Between $25 million and $995 million — that's what taxpayers could foot for Fort Wayne Community Schools' districtwide building renovation project.
Schmidt Associates, an Indianapolis-based firm hired by the district, on Tuesday also recommended closing Elmhurst High School and Ward Education Center, an alternative school for sixth- through 12th-graders.
“There hasn't been a lot of construction in the last 30 years,” Wayne Schmidt said in explaining the massive nature of the project to FWCS' Yellow Ribbon Committee and financial task force. About 34 of the district's 50 school buildings are more than 40 years old.
The age of some of the schools and the need for repairs can't be argued with. But $1 billion? That is stunning and audacious, a record setter by an incredible amount. Whatever ends up being spent will be whatever the community can stomach, and it will not be that much. Some will say that Superintendent Wendy Robinson laid out the $1 billion option to make $200 million or $300 million more palatable. But we talked to her on Tuesday, and I think she was sincere when she said she personally is committed to the largest option as what the system really needs. Some will also say she released the details of which school needs what so the patrons of those schools can join the lobbying effort, and there is probably some truth in that.
An obvious complaint that will come up often in the debates: Why now, when there is already plenty of controversy about academic achievement or its lack in Fort Wayne Community Schools? Won't this issue, however important it is, distract us from focusing on academics. Robinson would say that deteriorating facilities and lack of achievement are related, but she'll have a tough time making a $1 billion case out of it. At the very least, we are going to end up with two serious conversations about FWCS at the same time when many would prefer one conversation at a time.
