Gary school district outlines process to set up oversight committee
Gary school district targets dates and activities for referendum oversight
Contributed By:The 411 News
Outlines 3 month process to notify, select and inform Referendum Ambassadors
After the challenge of getting Gary voters to approve November’s referendum to increase property taxes to support public schools, the district released a statement today announcing its progress in the creation of the referendum oversight committee.
As part of its campaign In September, Gary Community Schools Corp. Manager Paige McNulty promised an oversight committee would be created to oversee every penny spent if the referendum passed.
The committee will monitor and report back to the public how the district spends the anticipated $71.2 million over the next 8 years. Yearly, the district expects to receive $8.9 million.
The statement called the committee Referendum Ambassadors. The Ambassadors will oversee how the district spends funds on balancing the budget; teacher and instructional staff compensation; arts, athletics and extracurricular activities; and safety and student supports.
Beginning in January, school officials will establish the mission, objectives, and parameters of the Referendum Ambassadors. The district will publicize the Ambassadors’ mission, objectives, and parameters. An application for Gary residents who want to serve on the committee will be released.
In February, the district will review applications and conduct interviews with selected applicants.
In March, the Referendum Ambassadors will be established and the district will provide them with materials pertaining to the referendum. They will hold their first meeting in March.
The school district receives property tax revenue disbursements twice a year, in June and December. Dr. McNulty said she wanted the oversight committee formed well before the first disbursal.
Another promise made by the school district – the first $1 million of referendum revenues would go to increase teacher salaries.
Dr. McNulty said the oversight committee would include representatives from the local business community, the faith-based community, elected officials, and labor groups, as well as students, parents and caregivers.
"I want a cross-mix of people who are invested in our schools, invested for the right reason and who want to see us move forward in the right direction; making sure it doesn’t turn into a political thing," Dr. McNulty said.
Story Posted:11/30/2020
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