Hammond School Chief Proposes Closing Two Schools

In Sept.

HAMMOND — The superintendent of the School City of Hammond is recommending a major overhaul of the system, which could result in the closing of two schools.

Our partner at The Times of Northwest Indiana is reporting Superintendent Scott Miller is proposing within the next two years to close Gavit and Clark schools, both of which serve as middle and high schools.

That proposal comes as Hammond currently constructs a new high school.

Miller presented his plan to a full district board room Tuesday night in which he says the closures could save the district nearly $36 million over the next five years.

"It’s hard for us to compete right now having four campuses," Miller said. "This is the result of declining enrollment and 10 straight years of policies that hurt urban education in Indiana."

The new Hammond school is under construction behind the current Hammond High School.  Once that 340,000-square-foot facility is open, the current campus would be demolished, according to the paper.

That still un-named school and the existing Morton High School would house approximately 1,850 students. That move would create a high school on each of Hammond’s west and east side.

The superintendent’s plan also calls for two existing buildings to serve as middle schools for seventh and eighth-grade students.  The sixth grade would be moved into the district’s elementary schools.

There’s also an alternative plan for Hammond schools, plus some possible uses for vacated schools, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana. Click here to read about the options.