Consolidation Targeted Speedway Schools in 1966


(posted Jan 4)


Helen Kellam has been fighting school consolidation in Speedway since 1966. Her first bout was Indianapolis' attempt to place Speedway in a metropolitan school district. Kellam still retains the July 24,1966 article when Indianapolis Star real estate writer Graham Stourgeon interviewed her about the issue.

At that time, Kellam told the Star the reason Speedway enjoyed its low tax rate was due to the industry base of Prest-O-Lite, Allison, Union Carbide, American Art and Clay, Esterline Angus, Buckeye Pipeline, and Marathon Oil. A photo in the 1966 paper shows an Allison plant undergoing expansion.

Kellam said making a metropolitan school district was an attempt by school districts that had pushed away industry to have a bigger tax funding base by including Speedway. She explained our "factory hums" were supporting our children's education. Kellam was always told that Prest-O- Lite came to Speedway because Indianapolis did not want the factory odor. She noted that she was sad to see Prest-O-Lite's smoke stack torn down. "I kind of hated to see the big old smoke stack come down. It was kind of a landmark," she said. She noted they were business owners for 26 years of the Trade Winds Aquarium on Main Street. She said her husband took daily photos of the factory razing.

Kellam said she was part of a letter writing campaign that sent letters to Mayor Lugar opposing the plan. She does not remember the consolidation attempt lasting very long.

Fast forwarding 42 years later, Kellam said "they are still after our schools," noting that she should start writing letters to Governor Mitch Daniels opposing the consolidation plan that includes Speedway public safety and library.

Kellam was one of about 700 plus residents in the packed auditorium at Speedway High School to hear State Senator Mike Young and State Representative Phil Hinkle. Young and Hinkle support the anti-consolidation effort because they believe Speedway is a model of government efficiency that other local governments should follow.