LSC looks at using Oakland Elementary

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Oakland Elementary will become Oakland High School in 2010. The purpose of the facility will be to increase the graduation rate for the district.

"We are going to be looking at smaller learning communities for students who haven't been successful or find a larger more traditional school setting undesirable," said Claire McKinney, Assistant Principal at Jeff High School.

The district said it wants to avoid calling the building an alternative school. It would be another option for Jeff students not making academic progress. The school expects to have 80 students in the fall identified from Jeff's 2009-2010 freshman class. The closing of Oakland Elementary also means redistricting for some students. New attendance boundaries were suggested in 2005, but are being reconsidered. Parents from Oakland, Earheart, Murdock and Edgelea will be notified of changes. The school board also looked at adding a standard dress code at Miller Elementary ,Sunnyside Middle, and Tecumseh Junior High next fall. Many parents support the idea of students wearing solid shirts, bottoms, and closed toe and heel shoes.

"Right now we're running about 80 percent either strong support or some what in favor it," said Tecumseh Principal Brett Gruetzmacher.

The challenge is developing a program to help parents afford clothes that would comply with the dress code.

The school board is asking parents to give their input on redistricting at the October 12, 2009 board meeting.