WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:12 — 3.7MB)
The Monroe County Community School Corporation school board submitted a letter to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s office— as well as to the state legislature— last week, condemning a law that would allow the state to take over Muncie and Gary community school corporations.
The letter, which was signed by all of the MCCSC board members, states, “[The MCCSC board of Trustees] stands in strong opposition to House Bill 1315; the bill that allows the state to take over financially distressed school districts, stripping them of their local control and democratic governance. In particular, the recent amendment to that bill which would allow Ball State University to take complete control of the Muncie Community Schools with no time-line for returning the school corporation to the local control of their community is of great concern to us.
The letter goes on to say, “We stand in support of the people of Muncie, Gary, and whichever district the state legislature may set their sights on next. We demand that the legislature amend HB1315 to allow the voices of administrators, teachers, citizens, and elected community school board members remain an integral part of the democratic process and the public accountability inherent in true public education.”
MCCSC School Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer was instrumental in drafting the letter to the governor and the legislature. She spoke with WFHB News Director Wes Martin about House Bill 1315.
