HAMMOND | The renewed talk of building a new high school in Hammond has resurrected strong advocates and opponents of the project.

At issue is the proposal by the School City of Hammond to build a new structure to replace the existing Hammond High and Gavit High schools by 2012.

There would remain three home high school districts with broadcast communications, pre-engineering and technology, visual and performing arts academies for all students.

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. called the situation "complicated."

"On one hand, I see firsthand what these kids have to live with," McDermott said. "I do support the project because Hammond High has not been renovated in years.

"On the other hand, they (School Board) couldn't have picked a worse time to have this project come out. It's a real bad time to talk money."

"All governments have to figure out ways to cut their budget and the School City is trying to sell a $75 million project," McDermott said. "It's a tough sell in this environment."

School Superintendent Walter Watkins said the opportunity for remonstrances has long past and the local referendum procedure does not apply to the new school proposal.

The School Board will conduct three more hearings on the proposal and when those are completed, the architect will draft the plans.

From there, the plans advance to the Department of Local Government Finance for approval.

The School Board has been proposing the new high school since 2002 and the plan is to move forward, Watkins said.

"We have lost significant purchasing power due to inflation, labor, cost, materials and we need to move forward with the project or remove it from the table completely," Watkins said.

"The vision and the value of a good education for young people come with a price tag, it is not free."

But Mary Ellen Slazyk, a 1971 Hammond High graduate, said tweaking the problems is the answer.

"This is a big mistake," she said. "A new school is not needed at this time (because) the present building is structurally sound."

Slazyk said the lighting problem could be rectified if the windows are unblocked, and technology is added for less money.

"Hammond High has carpeting, adequate heat, and the handicap problems can be tweaked -- it just takes a little bit of thinking," she said. "Gavit needs renovation. It has no air conditioning and some of the classrooms have no windows."

John Madeka, a 46-year Hammond native, said casino dollars should make a difference as an investment in a good education.

"Even if it is a few bucks more to my property taxes, the percentage is relatively small," he said. "If I could pay a little bit more and get all these wonderful facilities for our students, I say it is worth it."

School Board President Anna Mamala said, "We are all taxpayers. No one is exempt.

"There are people in Hammond that are still operating on that Little House on the Prairie, Petticoat Junction mentality. They do not want change."