A domino-effect has caused the location of approximately 40 students to be limbo for the coming school year after superintendents within the Hamilton-Boone-Madison Special Services Cooperative decided to decentralize Mosaics School.
Beginning in the fall, Mosaics students will attend different classrooms in Noblesville and Westfield Washington schools while the co-op searches for a long term solution to no longer having a home for Mosaics.
“The school means a lot to us, all of the families. It’s not just a school; it’s not just an education,” said Annette Whitesell, parent at Mosaics. “(My son) lost hope of being able to have a normal life, but Mosaics gave him confidence.”
“Special children with special needs are going to be left behind if we don’t do something quickly,” said Vicky Gaskin, a supporter of the school. “We have to do something for our future.”
Mosaics caters to severe emotionally challenged students or high anxiety students that need a highly structured environment. Conner said the school has as many as 40 students or as few as 30 depending on the year. Noblesville Schools has 16 students in the program, comprising almost half of the student body.
“It’s much more like a family setting than a regular classroom for kids with special needs,” said Suzanne Sabini, a concerned Noblesville resident. “Decentralization of services does not work very well. What happens when there is a situation when a child becomes out of control and violent?”
Moving is nothing new to Mosaics, which has had previous homes in Carmel and Noblesville – each twice before. This past school year the program was held on the second floor of the Noblesville High School Freshman Campus. Since the building will become Noblesville East Middle School this summer, space that is no longer available. The co-op planned to house Mosaics in the National Guard Armory that Noblesville Schools recently purchased.
“It was evaluated that it would cost more to renovate ad bring up to code than what it costs and it’s not a long-term solution, maybe five years,” Noblesville Schools Supt. Dr. Libbie Conner said.
Director of Mosaics School Steven Wornhoff did not give specifics of where classrooms will be or whether or not all teachers at Mosaics School will be retained.Wornhoff said White River Christian Church in Noblesville offered to house the program. White River said it has a large space that is used only on weekends and Thursday evenings that could house the program.
“To put the program there is not adequate or appropriate space for the entire program,” Wornhoff said.
Mosaics will be split into one classroom for elementary students, one for middle school and two for high school. Wornhoff said each home district will have individual planning for each student with which classroom best meets their needs and to review mental health and academic needs.
“I want my kid to have a school, not a room,” said Matthew Thomas, a Mosaics parent. “I thought we had a solution. It comes down to priorities. Why are we revisiting this?”
Superintendents said they will begin looking for long-term options in the fall.
“One reason to have the co-op is to put programs like this together,” said Westfield Washington Schools Supt. Dr. Mark Keen. “Most of us can’t support on our own. It’s important we continue to look at long-term solutions so it’s not a program in limbo.”
“I’m confident the program will serve the students in a positive way. I’m confident they can make this setting work, confident our student’s needs will be met next year,” Hamilton Heights Schools Supt. Dr. Derek Arrowood said.
The co-op is formed by Noblesville, Westfield Washington, Hamilton Heights, Sheridan Community and Frankton Lapel schools.
