The Green Lake Township Board does not want to see its school – Interlochen Community School – shuttered at the end of the year. But if it is, the township has a plan of attack.

At a special meeting Monday night, the township board unanimously passed a resolution stating its intention to pursue a charter school to replace the grade school should the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) board of education vote on Monday to close it.

In a letter to Superintendent Paul Soma, township Supervisor Paul Biondo states “the Township Board strongly urges the TCAPS board to reject the administration proposal to close the school and instead lift the threat of closure, which in our view, has been a cause of the decline in enrollment" over the last two years.

Should the school be selected for closure, the resolution authorizes “the use of township resources” to contact every parent in the township to determine their interest in a charter grade school in or near Interlochen. Biondo did not provide any further specifics.

“We’re really hoping for option A (keeping the school open),” says Biondo. “That is the spirit of our letter [to Supt. Soma].”

In January, Soma recommended the board close three low-enrollment elementary schools to address a significant budget shortfall. The recommendation includes closing the International School at Bertha Vos and Interlochen Community School at the end of this school year, and Old Mission Elementary in two years. In total, the three schools have fewer than 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and overhead costs range from $350,000 to approximately $430,000, more than $2,000 per student.

Biondo says the community has been very engaged in focus groups as the district has analyzed the school closure option, and township officials have followed the process closely and done some research of their own.

“We understand finances, but think there are other avenues,” says Biondo. “We really think it is smart business to keep the school open.”

In the resolution, the township states it “believes the administration of TCAPS decided immediately after the failure of the last millage in 2013, before the issue of declining enrollment was ever raised, to take punitive action against Green Lake Township for failing to pass the millage …”

TCAPS board member Kelly Clark disagrees, though he says he “absolutely understands” where the township board is coming from with its stance. “No one wants to close buildings, but we have to take into account the 9,500 students as a whole” and the best use of dollars for the entire district.

"The reason is simply financial," he adds.

Green Lake Township resident Andy Marek tells The Ticker he’s pleased to see the township taking steps to ensure Interlochen will have a community school.

“I’m glad to see the township taking a leadership role, even if it’s in the 11th hour,” says Marek, referencing the March 7 deadline for the board decision.

While Clark believes the Interlochen community has the potential for growth and offers affordable housing for young families, he also notes that one-third of families within the school’s boundaries send their children to another school.

As far as another entity opening a charter or private school, it's an idea that deserves thought and might be a good option, says Clark. He adds that while he wishes the district had a little more time, a decision has to be made and he’s curious to see how his fellow board members end up voting.

He tells The Ticker he supports closing two of the schools, but is “having a hard time justifying the third.”

The TCAPS board of education will meet Mon., Mar. 7, at 6pm, at The Ida M. Tompkins Administration Building at 412 Webster Street.