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NEW ALBANY — After meeting with New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. Superintendent Bruce Hibbard regarding the proposed budget reduction plan, New Albany Mayor Doug England released a statement Wednesday afternoon.
While the mayor doesn’t envy the “fiscal predicament” of the school corporation — a proposed $5.6 million in cuts — he said he understands the difficult choices the school board members face to manage the budget. The proposed plan includes closing Galena, Silver Street and Pine View Elementary schools as well as changing Children’s Academy of New Albany from being an early elementary school to a preschool.
“You have my qualified empathy, and I encourage you to make decisions that will benefit our community in the long run,” England said.
The mayor, whose wife is a retired teacher with 42 years of service, said he is concerned about the proposal to move fifth-graders to middle schools. He also stated it’s difficult for him to understand what savings, reserves and rainy day funds would be used to shore up the recommended option.
“Without this information, it is difficult to understand why no other restructuring alternatives exist — ones that could save a central city school, or perhaps two,” England said. “In particular, the Children’s Academy and Silver Street are essential facilities to the vitality of the neighborhoods that surround them. I am fearful their closure will have detrimental impact on the children, families and property values.”
He continued pointing out that these locations have had a direct effect on the areas surrounding them, as households have made significant investment choices to reside in these “walkable” neighborhoods.
The mayor also urged the school board to consider the city’s new five-year plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program to possibly save one or two schools from closing.
“While the city cannot utilize the CDBG Program to fund the operating costs of a neighborhood school, the city could make a financial contribution to implement accessibility improvements such as an elevator, ADA improvements, etc. to Silver Street an/or Children’s Academy,” England said.
The school board will vote on whether to approve the superintendent’s recommendations at 7 p.m. today in New Albany High School’s auditorium.
