South Bend group pushes for new tech school

SOUTH BEND — A group of supporters headed by South Bend school board member Roger Parent is pushing for a New Tech High School. The group is a nonprofit organization called New Schools Inc., and even though the board voted down the idea of a New Tech High School last August, New Schools is still trying to get the school corporation on board. Wednesday night, New Schools decided to give the school board one last chance. "We want to partner with SBCSC to do this as a public charter New Tech, and obviously we're waiting for some answers from them," said Parent, who is also president of New Schools Inc. At the last board meeting Monday night, at least one member was still against the idea of chartering the New Tech School. "How do we go to the public, lay off people, close up schools and then open up another school?" school board member Bill Sniaidecki asked. Now, members of New School have decided to go forward, with or without the school corporation, by seeking a charter through Ball State University. "We're obviously going down the track of seeking a charter through BSU, we're not delaying that at all," Parent said. Parent said he would rather partner with South Bend schools. So, the group gave the corporation a deadline. It has until April 5 to respond. The proposal would allow the school corporation to take over the New Tech High School after three to five years of success. At that time, all of New Tech's assets would be handed over to the school corporation. "Our proposal to them was submitted January 15, I think it's time to know whether or not they are interested in discussing the matter with us, whether they want to move forward in a partnership," Parent said. The New Schools board said it hopes to open the school by the fall of 2011, but it still has a couple of challenges ahead, and one is finding a facility. Right now, the options are Studebaker, LaSalle or Riley. The other challenge is funding. A lot of the funds would be donated by local businesses and various grants, but the New Schools board is also working with Rep. Joe Donnelly's office to apply for federal money. If SBCSC were to participate, the New Schools board said it would not be responsible for providing funds.