Parent's take on overcrowded school

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - This week, News 10 received several phone calls, Report it messages, and Facebook comments from parents concerned that their child's school is overcrowded.

Monday, we spoke to the Vigo County School system.

Wednesday, we followed up with some parents.

Otter Creek had over 700 kids last year.

This year, it's 960 due to most Chauncey Rose students transferring over.

Daisie Coombes' son is in 6th grade this year and new to Otter Creek.

She said he comes home and complains that he and his classmates are shoulder to shoulder.

She estimates 30 to 35 kids are in each classroom.

Her son said that there are so many kids in the cafeteria during lunchtime, that some don't have room to sit down, and instead, stand and hold their trays.

"Talking with different parents and things like that, it's a bigger problem than what's let on. They're not happy about it, they don't feel that their kids are getting the education that they need, they just don't understand why you know with one teacher, how they're going to give them so many kids," Coombes said.

Coombes says she's considered home schooling all three of her kids because she's worried about overcrowding getting worse.

News 10 spoke with Terre Haute Fire Chief Jeff Fisher.

He doesn't believe it's a fire hazard and has the most confidence in our school board that our kids are safe.

We weren't able to go inside the school.

However, we spoke to Vigo County School Superintendent Danny Tanoos.

He said every student has a desk in their classroom and maintains that it's always hectic in the beginning.