Submitted
On April 8, Valor Classical Academy filed suit in Hamilton Superior Court asserting that the Carmel Clay Schools Board of Trustees did not comply with Indiana Code when failing to notify the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) following its “official action to close or no longer use for instruction” Orchard Park Elementary School.
Indiana law governs the use of school buildings, specifically by creating a clear timeline to be followed by governing boards when deciding to close a school building or change the use of it. Among these laws is the “dollar rule.” This rule instructs school boards that they must report the decision to close and avail the school building to a charter organization for $1. Failing to file a notice of closure in accordance with this rule is a failure to follow the law.
In this pursuit, Valor’s founders hope the Court will determine that the school board must report the closure of Orchard Park and follow all the rules which pertain to the closure and any change of use in the building thus opening a window of time in which a charter may claim the building.
“Orchard Park is owned by the taxpayers and is no longer being used for classroom instruction,” said Valor Founder Holly Wilson. “We’d like to restore this facility back to a productive use by opening a classical school that supports parents, students, and educators and adds new opportunities and value to this vibrant community.”