Broad Ripple High School - Riparian Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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cause angry uproar Shortridge loses battle to live; who ' s next? When Shortridge High School was closed, it represented the end of a long struggle by SHS students, parents, and community members to keep a tradition alive. The falling enrollment, therefore a declining budget, made it necessary to close a certain number of schools. Although two high schools previously had been slated to close, only one was decided upon: Marshall was saved, Shortridge was not. The SHS fight did not simply begin in late February, but had been an ongoing battle for years. When the school board voted to close Marshall and Shortridge, the chance that SHS would remain open in the fall was a slim possibility. Candlelight vigils, slogans, rallies, and community support all tried to prevent what seemed inevitable. Perhaps the saddest aspect is that the chances are good that the entire ordeal could be repeated next year, causing more grueling week s of debate and discouraged, tired students. HIGH RISE . . . Despite graduation in June, the class of 1981 places a SAVE RIPPLE banner on top of the school ' s stage so that school spirit could be seen from around the village. School Closings 9

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I.P.S. school closings c MARSHALL SAVED, SHORTRIDE CLOSED Due to budget cuts and declining enrolinnent in early 1981, the Board of Commissioners appointed a Task Force to evaluate the 10 public high schools and make closing recommendations. Made up of local businessmen and dignitaries, the Task Force rated the schools in order of closing preference. Crispus Attucks, Broad Ripple, Manual, and Tech topped the list. A consolidation of six high schools was recommended. The plan was to merge Shortridge and BRHS at Shortridge while Attucks merged with Northwest. Also recommended was the merging of Arlington with Marshall at an undecided location. The Task Force proposed the leasing or sale of the Education Center as well as the sale of the BRHS land track and the renovation of Attucks for IPS offices. The school board met Feb. 24, 1981, to review the Task Force ' s recommendations and listen to citizen rebuttals. Early Wednesday morning after a lengthy meeting, the Board voted to consolidate Broad Ripple and Shortridge at BRHS and leave Attucks open. Although the Task Force had made recommendations, the Board chose to do otherwise. Angry words targeted the Board members for their rejection of the Task Force ' s recommendations. Both Shortridge and Marshall patrons appealed the decision. Several days later at the regular school board meeting, the decision to close Marshall was reversed; yet the verdict to close Shortridge stood. Four parents of Shortridge students — Margaret L. Coleman, Rosetta Martin, Franklin D. Nash, and Waiter L. Peacock — filed suit against the school board on May 5, 1981. They claimed that the determination to close Shortridge . . . was a denial to the plaintiffs ' children of due process of law. The suit did not come to trial before the beginning of the school year, leaving the decision unchanged. With the consoldation of Broad Ripple and Shortridge at BRHS, certain adjustments became necessary. WViether these adjustments were to be made smoothly, only time would tell. WE ARE . B.R. . . . Waiting to enter the Education Center, BR students rally outside. The students made posters and wore orange and black to enforce their views on the closing. 1 • • DEVILISH THOUGHTS . . . Before joining the caravan downtown, students decorated busses and cars with posters and streamers in their efforts to save BR. WHERE ' S SANTA CLAUS? As a last attempt to save the school. Shortridge students showed their sorrow at the decision to close their school. 1( BACKED INTO A CLOSET . . . With no where else to sit, Jenny Bigham, Kenny Dixon, Michelle Essenberg, and Susan Glunt huddle together in a closet downtown at the Education Center. 8 School Closings

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