Gary Schools Operator to Remain in Place
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The Florida-based operator of Gary Community School Corp. will continue to manage the district for the next two years. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report MGT Consulting received a unanimous vote Thursday from the Distressed Unit Appeals Board.
The DUAB is the state agency responsible for the turnaround of Gary Schools, which has had MGT overseeing operations since 2017.
In March, the district reported a $2 million budget surplus for 2021 after having a deficit of more than $21 million just four years prior.
Justin McAdam, chairman of the DUAB, said the new contract signals the beginning of the end of MGT’s control of the district, according to the publication. He says he hopes the Indiana General Assembly will allow a transition back to local control.
“There are going to be speed bumps and potholes along the way, but in the overarching thrust of this engagement, I think there has been an incredible amount of improvement,” McAdam said.
GCSC Manager Dr. Paige McNulty says the district plans to grow engagement with parents, focus on early literacy and partner with Indiana University Northwest, among other initiatives. The district and MGT plan to deliver an academic action plan for the next two school years.