Chamber Presents Community Plan, Addresses School Referendum At VCSC Board Meeting

Terre Haute, Ind. – During Monday night’s Vigo County School Board meeting, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce President Kristin Craig presented two statements as part of the School Board’s “Team Vigo” spotlight.

Craig presented details and outlined the See You In Terre Haute Community Plan and Brand. She encouraged the board and members of the audience to learn more about the plan, begin using the branding and formally endorse the plan.

As part of the presentation, Craig also announced the Chamber’s support of the Vigo County School Corporation’s proposed operating referendum.

“For the last several months, the Chamber board has been considering endorsement of the school corporation referendum,” Craig said during the presentation. “This was not something we took lightly, therefore due diligence including thorough consideration by our advocacy committee, executive committee and board of directors was given over the past few months.”

Also at tonight’s meeting, the VCSC board approved a proposal which would create a Business Roundtable to create continual communication between the VCSC and the business community.

Read the Chamber’s full statement on the referendum below:

The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce supports education. Providing high-quality education is critical to the success of our community. We applaud Vigo County School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Robert Haworth and the members of the school board for their transparency and diligence in providing
information regarding the corporation’s current financial situation.

As the business leaders of the community, we also recognize and appreciate the long-term financial issues that will face the VCSC. While the task at-hand is to weigh in on the proposed operating referendum of $7M and its impact on Vigo County’s taxpayers, we cannot consider this one question in a vacuum. In just two short years, the VCSC plans to pursue a much larger facilities referendum, to replace aging and outdated facilities. We must look at not just this single issue, but also the long-term future of the VCSC and the impact on taxpayers in Vigo County.

We, the board of directors of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, support the VCSC’s decision to pursue a $7 million operating referendum this fall for safety, security and transportation, in conjunction with a commitment to make at least $4 million in additional internal cost savings. We strongly encourage the school board to consider additional internal cost-savings as they look towards a facilities referendum in the near future. Along with our support comes a commitment to stay engaged with the VCSC as they vigorously examine efficiencies within the corporation.