Gary Community School Corp. removed from distressed status

Officials from the Distressed Unit Appeals Board unanimously voted June 17 to return the district to local oversight.

Community members gathered at the Gary Area Career Center to witness the ruling. The school district had been in state takeover since 2017. The agenda also included a recap from MGT, the firm that guided the district out of state takeover.

“Nearly seven years ago, Gary students, families, staff, the greater community, the state of Indiana and MGT were brought together in an uncertain and chaotic situation but a situation with common, shared goals – to build a sustainable district, exit distressed unit stats and transition to a new governance structure,” said Eric Parish, MGT executive VP, in a press release .

The district achieved the following benchmarks:

• Eliminated the $22 million annual operating deficit.
• Invested nearly $50 million in its current buildings and sold or demolished abandoned buildings.
• Experienced an increase in student assessment scores.
• Stabilized enrollment.
• Passed an operating referendum.
• Initiated the first pay raise for teachers in 10 years.

MGT helped develop a meeting process for the new school board of trustees. The board led the search process to secure the district’s new superintendent Yvonne Stokes.

“Nearly seven years ago, the Gary Community School Corp. was not in a position to serve its students, families or staff members,” Parish said. “It is a different story today.”

MGT provides technology management. It also advises public agencies, organizations and companies across the U.S. and abroad. MGT was founded in 1974.

The Gary Community School Corp. serves 10,700 students in grades kindergarten through 12. The district operates elementary schools, secondary academies, a middle school and a preschool.

(Photo provided by Gary Community School Corp.)

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