School City of Hammond district plans to close 2 high schools to avoid possible state takeover

HAMMOND, Ind. -- The head of a northwestern Indiana school district says it must close two high schools to avoid the possibility of a state takeover.

A plan approved by the Hammond School Board closes Clark and Gavit high schools following the 2020-2021 school year to save $36 million over five years. About 1,850 students each would attend Morton High School and a new school under construction next to the current Hammond High School.

The Northwest Indiana Times reports district Superintendent Scott Miller says he doesn't want a state-picked private company running its schools like in Gary and Muncie after they both faced a financial crisis.

In May, the Hammond school board voted to close three schools after saying the district faced a budget deficit of more than $10 million in 2020.

FILE VIDEO: School officials in Hammond voted Tuesday night to close three schools.

Miller says the district's enrollment has fallen by nearly half to about 12,000 students over the past 50 years while continuing with four high schools.

WLS contributed to this article.