Perry Township needs more classrooms

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Residents on the south side of Indianapolis had a chance to see what Perry Township leaders call an overcrowded classroom problem in their schools.

The township says in order to fix the problem they are asking voters to approve a $50 million referendum for expansion.

The township held a community meeting at Homecroft Elementary School Tuesday to talk about the problem and what needs to be done to fix it.

After the meeting, residents had a chance to tour some of the trailers on site. For the past year, students and teachers have been using trailers as classrooms.

Some residents said they were surprised to learn that there were no bathrooms in the trailers. Teachers have to radio into the main building to let security know when a student is headed to the main building.

Those same residents walked through the trailers to inspect the layout of the converted classrooms.

Superintendent Thomas Little said they have 27 trailers throughout the district. If voters do not approve the referendum in May then the township will have to install 62 classroom trailers at the elementary schools.

The township says the installation will cost them more than $500,000 and that does not include the cost to rent out the trailers.

The superintendent said the increase will be $9.80 for the average homeowner.

Supporters said they do not have a problem with that tax hike.

If the referendum is not approved in May the township will have to add more trailers and convert music and art classrooms into regular classrooms.

The township says music and art teachers will be required to travel from room to room with a cart to teach.