District Opts to Shut Down Schools

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The Gary Community School Corp. Board of Trustees has decided to close six schools. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the district says it is facing a nearly $24 million deficit. That total has been revised up since an intial $13 million figure was initially established.

Three elementary schools, Webster, Brunswick and Watson, as well as Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School, Lew Wallace STEM Academy and the Lincoln Achievement Center will be shuttered.

Board Members Nellie Moore says factors including a 50 percent drop in population and a tax collection rate of just over 40 percent contributed to the “very uncomfortable decision.”

In addition, Lew Wallace and Dunbar-Pulaski have received six-consecutive failing grades.

The school corporation is attempting to work with the state to potentially reopen one of the middle schools.

Source: The Times of Northwest Indiana