Even though the former state-hired manager of the Gary Community School Corp. has been gone since July, the state awarded it $279,375 in performance incentives on Thursday.
The state Distressed Unit Appeal Board approved the incentives for MGT Consulting, the Florida-based firm that managed the district during the district’s seven-year state takeover that ended in June.
MGT earned the money because it reached benchmarks in its contract for academic improvement.
The incentives included $85,000 when 15.6% of students moved to a higher proficiency on English/language arts scores.
MGT received $50,000 for improvement on IREAD-3 scores in 2023; $37,500 for i-READY formative assessment student growth in ELA and $31,875 for improving on i-READY math scores.
It also received $25,000 for increasing the percentage of students reaching i-Ready “stretch” goals in ELA and math.
MGT is receiving an additional $50,000 for conducting public forums during school board meetings from 2023 to 2024.
An appointed school board and new superintendent gained full governing authority in July.
DUAB executive director Peter Miller said MGT is still eligible for additional incentives when graduation rate data is released next month.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
