The Gary school most favored in a poll for demolition could face the wrecking ball next month.
In all, five vacant schools that have become neighborhood eyesores have been targeted for demolition.
District manager Mike Raisor said Tuesday that infamous Norton Elementary, where the body of a murdered Portage woman was found in 2019, could be demolished in June. He said work could begin as soon as an abatement evaluation is received.
Police found the body of Adriana Saucedo, 27, inside the school at 1356 Harrison. Police said she was shot in Porter County and her assailants dumped her body at the vacant school where access was readily available through busted windows and doors.
Three teenage boys, ages 15, 16, and 17 were arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death.
In 2021, a Porter County judge sentenced the gunman Shaun Thompson, then 18, of Gary, to 50 years in prison following his guilty plea. Roderick Silas, then 17, was sentenced to 29 years with eight years suspended and served on formal probation.
Jonathan Brown, then 19, was sentenced to 24 years, with six years suspended and to be served on formal probation.
Raisor said the other schools targeted for demolition include Melton, 3581 Fillmore St., Riley, 1301 E. 43rd Ave., and Webster, 3720 Pierce St.
In 2011, children discovered the body of Jennifer Kocsis, of Griffith, on the Riley grounds. Her body was near a wall in the school’s rear near a playground. The school closed in 2005.
Officials announced last week that Steel City Charter School purchased two vacant schools – Lincoln and Duncan – for $250,000. Steel City plans to demolish Duncan, according to Katie Kirley, the school’s executive director.
At Tuesday’s school board meeting, Mary Ann Reedus, a former school advisory board member, criticized the district for selling schools to a charter.
Raisor praised Steel City for its good faith market value offer when the schools could be sold for $1 each after July 1, if the state releases the district from its distressed status.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
