Thanks, Dave. I have reached out to Rabita Rajkarnikar, but haven't heard back yet. We are organizing a Meet and Greet, along with interview, for everyone in District 2.
Not a WL resident, so I can't weigh in on what should move in to the old school location. BUT, I predict that a rumor will start that it will be either a Cheddar's or a gas station. Bless us, and here's to labor!
Brian. Of course you can weigh in. You're linked to the school through politics and taxes.
There are people who don't even live in the district that work at West Lafayette School Corporation. And they weigh in all the time. Sometimes even directing.
But you're right. Rumor on Robinson Street is that it will be a combination fast casual version of Cheddar's that fits into an e-bike and electric car fast charging station. Wild.
What is a Cheddars and also what is neighborhood opinion about "Salisbury Market" at corner of Salisbury and Robinson? Are bright store lights kept on 24 hours a day?
Tearing down all of Happy Hollow is not necessarily a good idea. Some parts of the building are newer and in better shape. (Gym, Library, Front Office)
I can see that point but I'd sure like to see the school district sell the remaining structure to the city, with the proceeds used to reduce the school district's substantial debt load.
I view the recent tennis court joint project as a backdoor way for the city to subsidize WLCSC.
The WLCSC admin building and (bus) parking lot will presumably be left standing.
I don't know who owns the pool but a guessing it is the city. It would seem reasonable for the city to add the remaining part of the contiguous building to Happy Hollow Park as a recreation or community center.
It doesn't make much sense to repeat the Burtsfield plan of leaving only the gym standing for many years. A shrinking school district needs to reduce its physical plant and the attendant carrying costs.
You make some good points and may be privy to information I do not have.
1. does WL school district have a substantial debt load?
2. Why do you think city's tennis court project is backdoor way for city to subsidize WLCSC?
3. I believe City of WL owns the pool.
4. So who would own and operate the reduced Happy Hollow School building as a recreation or community center? The City already has the John R.Dennis Wellness Center and some limited space in Margerum City Hall for some art classes. And the Bean (conference room) seems underutlized as well as a few smaller rooms on the first floor.
5. The school board was using one set of data predicting increase in school-age population--hence that was why Burtsfield got the gym. But then there was a drop of elementary students from Purdue Married Housing and Purdue started hauling the remaining ones to Klondike in the Tippecanoe County School System. WLCSC was left holding the bag--a decrepit Burtsfield, (with a new gym), and a closed Morton School.
Darling. Post your actual given name. Otherwise, it's hard to take you seriously. Out yourself. I like much of your thinking, but your credibility is fading because of your fake name.
Along with Zach’s answer re: Cheddars - it also became a tiresome “joke” answer whenever a question was asked in one of the local FB discussion groups. E.g. “What’s moving into the vacant lot at xxx address” or “where can I get my car detailed”. Etc etc. It more or less finally played itself out when most people figured out that it wasn’t creative or clever.
The comment here was correct, though. I’m betting good money that at least one survey response will be the Ch word.
It's kind of an inside joke. Cheddars is s chain restaurant. There's one on South St. It often comes up when people on social media ask "Does anyone know what they are building on the corner of X and X?"
Cheddars is a chain-restaurant that caused quite the stir when it came to Lafayette several years ago. Them moving into this area is a joke...at least as far as I know. Similar to the obsession with having a Trader Joe's.
I wish the survey included more analysis of the building. Perhaps that is in some documentation? Do you know if the viability of keeping certain portions of the building has been made available to the public?
I am fine. And you? Thanks for Cheddars explanation. I assumed it was a spurious suggestion.
There must be some documentation about the over-all condition of Happy Hollow. The Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association (WALLA) had a temporary office in one of the classrooms while the migrating WL City Hall was also operating out of Happy Hollow. It seemed to me that the library, gymnasium, central office and classrooms on the west side of the building were ok.(and newer) The original building was built around 1960.
I do not recall any public documentation about the condition--but that would be the West Lafayette Community Schools. So that is the first place I would look for more detailed status of Happy Hollow.
They could sell Happy Hollow School to the city and let them turn it into a community center replacement for Morton. The school of the community left when Morton closed down.
Also, I cannot express how tacky it is for the chosen District 2 candidate to be so nontransparent about their goals. This is the definition of a neoliberal candidate
"Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh said there were no new concerns about a LEAP pipeline-like development. But she said there was “just no real reason to not have (the moratorium) in place.”" There should be a permanent moratorium. A law to protect our water, and all the water across the state, from depredation by short-sighted businesses.
That Happy Hollow Survey is a 🚂 train wreck 💥 in clarity. I bet it cost a lot of consultancy money to create and administer.
Here are the questions for everyone to contemplate over the Labor Day holiday:
- Check all roles which apply to you.
- How could the Happy Hollow site be best utilized to serve the current and future educational needs of students within the West Lafayette Community School Corporation?
- What kinds of activities or programs would you like to see happening at Happy Hollow? Please consider outdoor spaces (e.g. playground), too.
- In reimagining Happy Hollow, what factors affecting the surrounding neighborhood should be considered?
- Would you pay for certain school-related programs or services at Happy Hollow? If so, what types?
- OPTIONAL: What additional comments or feedback would you like to share about the use of Happy Hollow?
Lafayette Citizens Band concert Labor Day, September 1, at the Columbian Park Amphitheater 7:00 pm. Pre-concert features the Star City Quintet and they begin at 6:15 pm. Concert is FREE!
Assembling "stakeholder focus groups" frames the question to avoid the answer "knock it down already!" The Happy Hollow School should have been a rubble pile soon after the students left, 6 or 7 years ago. No telling how much money has been wasted since then, as that is the kind of objective question our school board is unable to answer.
Knocking it down would also have prevented Rocky's takeover by a charter school scenario, which seems much less farfetched today, in an era where vouchers can be used to send your kid to any private brainwashing operation you like. This would insure WL kids have access to a quality secular public education for a few more years.
Agreed. Tear it down already! Although expensive, it will save money in the long run at a time when public schools are feeling the squeeze by the legislature.
Thanks, Dave. I have reached out to Rabita Rajkarnikar, but haven't heard back yet. We are organizing a Meet and Greet, along with interview, for everyone in District 2.
If anyone would like to submit questions, you can do so here: https://newchauncey.org/2025/08/rabita-rajkarnikar-interview-district-2-city-council-appointment/
Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone!
Not a WL resident, so I can't weigh in on what should move in to the old school location. BUT, I predict that a rumor will start that it will be either a Cheddar's or a gas station. Bless us, and here's to labor!
Brian. Of course you can weigh in. You're linked to the school through politics and taxes.
There are people who don't even live in the district that work at West Lafayette School Corporation. And they weigh in all the time. Sometimes even directing.
But you're right. Rumor on Robinson Street is that it will be a combination fast casual version of Cheddar's that fits into an e-bike and electric car fast charging station. Wild.
Cheers to your labors.
What is a Cheddars and also what is neighborhood opinion about "Salisbury Market" at corner of Salisbury and Robinson? Are bright store lights kept on 24 hours a day?
Tearing down all of Happy Hollow is not necessarily a good idea. Some parts of the building are newer and in better shape. (Gym, Library, Front Office)
I can see that point but I'd sure like to see the school district sell the remaining structure to the city, with the proceeds used to reduce the school district's substantial debt load.
I view the recent tennis court joint project as a backdoor way for the city to subsidize WLCSC.
The WLCSC admin building and (bus) parking lot will presumably be left standing.
I don't know who owns the pool but a guessing it is the city. It would seem reasonable for the city to add the remaining part of the contiguous building to Happy Hollow Park as a recreation or community center.
It doesn't make much sense to repeat the Burtsfield plan of leaving only the gym standing for many years. A shrinking school district needs to reduce its physical plant and the attendant carrying costs.
You make some good points and may be privy to information I do not have.
1. does WL school district have a substantial debt load?
2. Why do you think city's tennis court project is backdoor way for city to subsidize WLCSC?
3. I believe City of WL owns the pool.
4. So who would own and operate the reduced Happy Hollow School building as a recreation or community center? The City already has the John R.Dennis Wellness Center and some limited space in Margerum City Hall for some art classes. And the Bean (conference room) seems underutlized as well as a few smaller rooms on the first floor.
5. The school board was using one set of data predicting increase in school-age population--hence that was why Burtsfield got the gym. But then there was a drop of elementary students from Purdue Married Housing and Purdue started hauling the remaining ones to Klondike in the Tippecanoe County School System. WLCSC was left holding the bag--a decrepit Burtsfield, (with a new gym), and a closed Morton School.
Darling. Post your actual given name. Otherwise, it's hard to take you seriously. Out yourself. I like much of your thinking, but your credibility is fading because of your fake name.
Along with Zach’s answer re: Cheddars - it also became a tiresome “joke” answer whenever a question was asked in one of the local FB discussion groups. E.g. “What’s moving into the vacant lot at xxx address” or “where can I get my car detailed”. Etc etc. It more or less finally played itself out when most people figured out that it wasn’t creative or clever.
The comment here was correct, though. I’m betting good money that at least one survey response will be the Ch word.
another way to waste time and not advance the discussion. thanks for further clarification.
It's kind of an inside joke. Cheddars is s chain restaurant. There's one on South St. It often comes up when people on social media ask "Does anyone know what they are building on the corner of X and X?"
Hello Joseph. How are you today?
Cheddars is a chain-restaurant that caused quite the stir when it came to Lafayette several years ago. Them moving into this area is a joke...at least as far as I know. Similar to the obsession with having a Trader Joe's.
I wish the survey included more analysis of the building. Perhaps that is in some documentation? Do you know if the viability of keeping certain portions of the building has been made available to the public?
I am fine. And you? Thanks for Cheddars explanation. I assumed it was a spurious suggestion.
There must be some documentation about the over-all condition of Happy Hollow. The Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association (WALLA) had a temporary office in one of the classrooms while the migrating WL City Hall was also operating out of Happy Hollow. It seemed to me that the library, gymnasium, central office and classrooms on the west side of the building were ok.(and newer) The original building was built around 1960.
I do not recall any public documentation about the condition--but that would be the West Lafayette Community Schools. So that is the first place I would look for more detailed status of Happy Hollow.
They could sell Happy Hollow School to the city and let them turn it into a community center replacement for Morton. The school of the community left when Morton closed down.
Also, I cannot express how tacky it is for the chosen District 2 candidate to be so nontransparent about their goals. This is the definition of a neoliberal candidate
"Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh said there were no new concerns about a LEAP pipeline-like development. But she said there was “just no real reason to not have (the moratorium) in place.”" There should be a permanent moratorium. A law to protect our water, and all the water across the state, from depredation by short-sighted businesses.
Watch these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ALeNj7cp_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-lLJlhWDMc
That Happy Hollow Survey is a 🚂 train wreck 💥 in clarity. I bet it cost a lot of consultancy money to create and administer.
Here are the questions for everyone to contemplate over the Labor Day holiday:
- Check all roles which apply to you.
- How could the Happy Hollow site be best utilized to serve the current and future educational needs of students within the West Lafayette Community School Corporation?
- What kinds of activities or programs would you like to see happening at Happy Hollow? Please consider outdoor spaces (e.g. playground), too.
- In reimagining Happy Hollow, what factors affecting the surrounding neighborhood should be considered?
- Would you pay for certain school-related programs or services at Happy Hollow? If so, what types?
- OPTIONAL: What additional comments or feedback would you like to share about the use of Happy Hollow?
The entire school should have been renovated in to the new city building.
Lafayette Citizens Band concert Labor Day, September 1, at the Columbian Park Amphitheater 7:00 pm. Pre-concert features the Star City Quintet and they begin at 6:15 pm. Concert is FREE!
Assembling "stakeholder focus groups" frames the question to avoid the answer "knock it down already!" The Happy Hollow School should have been a rubble pile soon after the students left, 6 or 7 years ago. No telling how much money has been wasted since then, as that is the kind of objective question our school board is unable to answer.
Knocking it down would also have prevented Rocky's takeover by a charter school scenario, which seems much less farfetched today, in an era where vouchers can be used to send your kid to any private brainwashing operation you like. This would insure WL kids have access to a quality secular public education for a few more years.
Focus on this: Tear it down!!
Agreed. Tear it down already! Although expensive, it will save money in the long run at a time when public schools are feeling the squeeze by the legislature.
Happy Hollow Park West (with a pool)?
WL Sledding Hill (with pool)
Ha! It is a very magical sledding hill. So many ways to use the wide open field there.
And imagine if the splinter giving gazebo was rebuilt.
Oh, the world we could live in.