The Portage Township School Board opposes legislation targeting school districts with a majority of students attending school elsewhere.
House Bill 1136, now before the Indiana General Assembly, would eliminate Gary Community Schools in Lake County and Tri-Township Consolidated School Corp. in LaPorte County along with two other districts, turning traditional public schools there into charter schools.
The Portage Township School Board unanimously passed a resolution Monday night opposing the legislation.
“This bill is taking certain school corporations away from the public, disbanding their public school boards,” Portage Township School Board President Andy Maletta said. That’s among the steps the state has been taking “to absolve themselves of public schools.”
“This is a big step, so I think it’s really important that we’re vocal and we oppose this bill,” he said. “Public schools belong to the public, and they should have local control over their schools.”
“They start with the few schools and then you never know how this thing could expand,” Maletta said. “Eventually, you know, we may not have public schools anymore, and it’s kind of scary. I encourage everyone to reach out to your state legislators quickly and let them know that you would oppose this bill, that local control is still extremely important.”
Board Vice President Wilma Vazquez agreed.
“I can see other districts that I’m familiar with that could probably fit into this into these requirements that they’re indicating,” she said. “So far, there’s four. I could see that number growing.”
“I really would like to see a lot of people go to the Statehouse Feb. 18,” when educators plan to converge on the General Assembly, Vazquez said. “We have to talk, let our voices be heard.”
HB 1136 is authored by state Rep. Jake Teshka, a Republican from the South Bend area. Reps. Jeffrey Thompson and Timothy O’Brien are cosponsors.
The legislation provides that if more than half of students who live within the district were enrolled in a school not operated by the school district as of the average daily membership count date this fall, the district would be dissolved and all the public schools in the district transitioned to operate as charter schools. A new school board, requirements and procedures regarding the dissolution and reorganization of those districts would be established.
The Portage board’s resolution opposing the bill calls on the General Assembly to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts on school funding, governance and outcomes to ensure any changes benefit all communities equitably.
The resolution also encourages including local stakeholders, including school boards, educators, parents and community members, in discussions and decisions regarding school corporation reorganization.
In other business, board attorney Ken Elwood swore in new member Matt Ramian, who was elected in November, and Vazquez, who was reelected.
Maletta and Vazquez will remain president and vice president this year, with Lori Wilkie elected secretary Monday night.
Ramian said he’s “energetic, ready to get started,” and has a lot of ideas. “I’m just willing to help in any way that I can.”
“I also want to continue to work with our community, our families, our teachers, our support staff, those who work directly or indirectly with our students, so that we could continue our vision that is to educate our students,” Vazquez said. “I will work tirelessly, and I do bring a different perspective, as all our board members do, and I will continue to learn.”
Superintendent Amanda Alaniz stressed the need for students to continue to bundle up. Gloves and scarves are available for students who need them, she said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
