VALPARAISO | To firmly voiced opposition from a line of speakers, a community task force on Tuesday recommended the closure of seven older Valparaiso elementary schools, to be replaced by four consolidated schools.

The task force of 45 community leaders presented the findings of three months of study of the school corporation's needs to the School Board.

Both proponents and opponents of the ambitious plan said the discussion of the future shape of Valparaiso schools was just beginning.

Of the city's eight primary schools, only Flint Lake Elementary -- the newest, built in 1993 -- would remain within 12 years, under the proposal.

Several speakers asked the board to consider options that did not abandon the city's neighborhood schools.

Some speakers questioned the cost estimates provided to the task force in its work and claimed that renovation of the seven older schools would be cheaper than building the larger schools.

Parent Amy Lavalley listed benefits of small schools and told the board, "What we have here is working," to a strong round of audience applause.

Closing seven schools would break neighborhood bonds that can't be rebuilt with bricks and mortar, parent Christopher Pupillo said. He asked the board to reconvene its process to include listening and consensus building with the whole community.

Task force member and Valparaiso High School 2008 graduate Ajay Major said the task force had not lived up to its mission. It was insufficiently transparent and the public forums did not provide enough opportunity to the public to raise issues. He asked the board to fix the process.

Task force member Jennifer Abatie defended the hard work of the group. She loved Parkview Elementary School, she said, but would also love a larger school with better conditions.

Initial costs have been estimated at $45 million for two consolidated schools. With renovation of the high school's auditorium and replacement of its pool, the estimate rises to $65 million. Total costs, which would require approval in a series of referendums, could be about $100 million over the next 25 years.

For space considerations, the larger schools likely would be around the city's periphery. The school corporation owns two parcels of land large enough to accommodate a 600- to 700-student school. One is near the school administration building on Campbell Street, one is near the animal shelter on Ind. 2 on the city's south side.