MGT stakes claim to remain in Gary schools
Three lawmakers, many others say it’s time for return to local control
The turnaround company managing the Gary Community School Corp. said Wednesday it’s well-positioned to deliver academic gains to the district if it wins a two-year state contract, but three Gary lawmakers and many in the audience said it’s time for a return to local control.
In a meeting that eclipsed the four-hour mark, members of the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board heard officials from MGT Consulting LLC detail fiscal progress in erasing a $22 million operating deficit and its vision to improve academic performance.
The oft-contentious meeting began with State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, a non-voting Distressed Unit Appeal Board member, asking for the house lights to be turned up in the West Side Leadership Academy auditorium so officials on the stage could see the “Restore Local Control” protest signs held by some audience members.
Some jeered as MGT vice president Eric Parish detailed the district’s progress, including a shift from what he called the shortest school day in the state to an extended day, a stabilized enrollment and building upgrades.
The audience finally got the opportunity to speak as the meeting eclipsed the three-hour mark. Gary Mayor Jerome Prince left before addressing the board.
“I expected a little bit different format,” he said Thursday morning. “I wanted to set a certain tone, but I don’t know if that would have done any good. Folks wanted to say what they wanted to say.”
Despite the emotions and sentiment involved, Prince said the focus should remain on what’s best for students.
“My primary concern is the transition,” he said.
The board’s next move is to either continue with MGT for two more years or retain a new company to complete the turnaround that’s expected to end in two years. MGT’s contract expires June 30.
The Distressed Unit Appeal Board chose MGT over six other firms in 2017 to manage the district after the state took control of its
governance amid Gary’s $22 million operating deficit and long-term debt of more than $100 million.
Distressed Unit Appeal Board executive director Pete Miller said the district’s governance structure once it returns to local control was in the hands of the GOP-led General Assembly.
“Our vision and plan will create an outcome everyone does want — an exit from distressed status and a transition to a new governance structure,” Parish said.
District manager Paige McNulty ticked off a list of physical upgrades including athletic improvements at West Side, and technology additions in all classrooms. She cited a renewed focus on the Gary Area Career Center, where career pathways increased from four to 11, including courses in aviation, graphic arts and cybersecurity. McNulty said enrollment there has climbed from 51 to 251.
“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room and that’s academics,” she said.
Under MGT, the district’s grade rose from an F to a D. Because of the pandemic, state grades weren’t issued last year. She said the district is pouring about $2.5 million out of its own budget to maintain the Bethune Early Learning Center to better prepare preschoolers for school.
About 4,500 Chromebooks were issued to students and the district hired 45 new teachers in a partnership with Indiana University Northwest.
Classroom teachers also received their first pay increase in more than a decade after voters approved a $72.1 million referendum in 2020.
McNulty said Bailly Middle School just received state STEM certification and two more schools are in the pipeline to complete the rigorous curriculum program.
Teachers have received more than 300 hours of professional development training and there’s improvement on reading and math state assessment scores, she said.
When asked what MGT needs from the community, district spokeswoman Chelsea Whittington took issue with the jeering.
“We have to tell our own narrative. We don’t celebrate our accomplishments. We come here to grandstand,” she said asking some in the audience why they don’t show up for athletic contests and PTA meetings,” Whittington said.
“We disrespect one another. We talk over one another…”
Before the public input portion of the meeting, MGT officials left the stage at the direction of Justin McAdam, board chairman. The move angered the remaining crowd.
Gary legislators state Rep. Ragen Hatcher and state Sen. Eddie Melton blamed the legislature for enacting a charter school law that drained Gary’s enrollment, for permanent property tax caps and for decreasing the property tax assessment of U.S. Steel.
“We are in this position because of legislation in Indianapolis,” Hatcher said. “The way out is the same way.”
Melton said the state takeover should end immediately and Gary lawmakers were weighing a bill to establish a transition to an elected school board.
“We believe it can be done without renewing MGT’s contract for two years,” he said.
The Rev. Dwight Gardner said he supports local control, but “I’m not blind to the challenges. We need everyone at the table.”
An angry Robert Coleman, a West Side parent and PTSA leader, said MGT didn’t respond to the students’ needs.
“We’ve been fighting for four years to get the pool working. They’re putting up a front façade to you all,” he said. “Jesus is going to fix this.”
Josetta Shropshire voiced dissatisfaction with MGT.
“Our students are in trouble and we’ve been saying it repeatedly. Our needs are not being met. Finances are taken care of but our children are being ignored. … We’ve submitted proposals but we’ve been ignored and marginalized.”
School district advisory board president Robert Buggs complained about his inability to visit schools. He said made an appointment, but was told he could only go after the schools closed for the day.
“It feels like we’re on some third world reservation,” he said.