Consolidation Is Not A Done Deal


(posted Dec 16)


Tossing Speedway Public Schools into the arena of consolidation is not an amusing matter for Speedway residents. The residents are now in alarm mode for fear of losing their crown jewel as a result of the Kernan-Shepherd report to streamline government.

For many residents, the only reason they reside in Speedway is to allow their children the ability to attend the public school system. That was the message residents delivered by attendees at State Representative Phil Hinkle's Dec 13 own Hall meeting. The issue raised such a concern that over 100 people attended. The town hall reached its seating capacity that sent overflow crowd to the fire department to watch the program live via WSCA-TV. The majority of the residents in attendance expressed fears that Speedway schools would be swallowed up by IPS or Wayne Township, only a few believed that Speedway schools would be in control of the consolidation to take over IPS or Wayne Township.

Hinkle said bigger is not always better and that only 37% of a Speedway taxpayer's bill is dedicated to operate the schools.  The statewide average is 54%.

Junior High School Principal John Dizney explained that he has worked in larger school corporations and that bigger is not always better. He indicated that it was the school system as the reason he lives and works here as well as his kids attending school. Last year, the junior high received the Four Star Award and National Blue Ribbon Award. The latest ISTEP report shows that Speedway out performed Pike Township, IPS and Wayne Township schools in the 2007-2008 testing.

Dizney noted that Hinkle was only "one voice" and he wanted to know what the "other colleagues" are thinking.

Hinkle assured Dizney that Kernan-Shepherd report was far from being "a done deal" and that Hinkle complimented Speedway's ability to provide good efficient services while having the lowest tax rate in the county. "How do you improve on that?" he asked.

Library board president Gene Markiewicz asked Hinkle not to forget about the library as it celebrates its 40 years of existence in 2008. He credited the staff for its ability to run an efficient library and to provide technological resources to patrons. The library started offering WiFi service in 2007. Markiewicz chose to serve on the library board because he said he believes in the importance of a library and its role in a community. He contends that a community's closeness and identity are tied to its school system, library and churches. He disliked the idea of being taken over by another community. He called it "scary."

The Kernan-Shepherd report recommended consolidation of schools, public safety, libraries, and township governments as a method to improve efficiencies. If the plan is passed by the state legislature, Speedway's autonomy could vanish. The plan does not state how the consolidation would be carried out other than recommending more of a centralize appointed power of one county commissioner, thus eliminating many elected offices. The county appointed executive would also have appointment powers. The plan examines the issue of cost savings rather than accountability and representation to the voter.

Hinkle presented a solution at the meeting that could exempt Speedway from consolidation. Hinkle contends Speedway could be excluded from consolidation by adding an amendment into the bill that says it does not apply to counties with consolidated cities. The language would be an amendment to any bill that consolidates any part of government as the exclusion. The tricky issue for the legislators is to be able to identify Marion County in the amendment without specifically saying so. Hinkle explained that it would be a Marion County delegate who, once recognized, would insert the language into bill from the floor.

Hinkle thinks the total elimination of property tax is the a better way to reform government than through consolidation and capping taxes. He said the message he received from the voters was "quit raising my taxes" and "cut spending."

State Senator Mike Young also attended the meeting to urge residents to voice their concerns with the governor's office.