Several Williams Elementary students rode to school on their bikes. A few miles away, wide-eyed, jittery youngsters clung to a parent’s hand as they walked into the Bethune Early Learning Center.
It could be the first day of school anywhere, but Wednesday marked Gary’s first day back under local control after a seven-year state takeover.
New Superintendent Yvonne Stokes greeted children at Bethune.
“I’ve experienced more and know more starting a district that was under state control,” she said. “We are building the plane as we fly.”
Stokes said she’s been focusing on a myriad of issues to make sure the district is aligned with state requirements, including updates on school board policies.
“I’m also big on archetypes to make sure we can play nice in the sand box,” she said.
Stokes stood at the door, greeting parents and students and spoke to students briefly in the lunchroom.
“I am so happy you can come and meet your teachers and learn a whole lot,” she told the kids. “Gary hasn’t had a superintendent in seven years. I am your first.”
In 2017, Gary became the first district in Indiana taken over by the state. A convergence of events, from declining enrollment to the impact of property tax caps, led to a $23 million annual deficit and more than $100 million in long-term debt.
Gary fell under state control when its cratering finances caught the eye of state lawmakers who crafted a bill vesting governing authority of the urban school district to the state Distressed Unit Appeal Board, a state agency that monitors the financial health of districts.
The DUAB hired MGT Consulting, a Florida-based education management company, to govern the district without input from an elected school board, which was stripped of authority.
MGT experienced a rocky seven-year reign, but under former emergency manager Paige McNulty, voters backed a $72.1 million referendum in 2020 that kept the district afloat and convinced state officials residents wanted their district back. McNulty’s pitch stressed support for the referendum would likely mean an escape from state control.
The school district lost referendum bids in 2015 and 2016.
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed another bill creating an appointed school board, which gained governing authority along with a new superintendent, on July 1.
In June, the board hired Stokes, a former superintendent at Hamilton Southeastern near Indianapolis. She also served as assistant superintendent at the School Town of Munster.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Williams Principal Linda Golston, aboard a motorized scooter, and Williams on Wheels sponsor Sharonne Scott led bike-riding students east on 21st Avenue to the school.
“The program was in other areas and we’ll build it up with ‘roll’ model adults,” said Golston.
Fifth grader Joshua Bachleitner, 9, looked forward to pedaling to school. “I ride my bike all the time,” he said.”
Parent Marsha Turner said her daughter, Wynter, 7, enjoys bike riding. “She loves activities, she’s very physical. She’s a daredevil.”
Scott, a third grade teacher, said the school received bicycle donations from the First Presbyterian Church in Valparaiso.
“We want to get the kids active before school,” she said. “We have a lot of kids in the neighborhood and sometimes the bus is late so what better way than to ride.”
Scott said she’s still working out more details and trying to secure additional bicycle helmets and bike donations.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
