Supt. Pete Morikis, left, and Keon Viverette, Girls Basketball and Volleyball Coach
Getting middle schools in Gary right this time
Contributed By:The 411 News
Q&A with the Superintendent: Enrollment was greater than anticipated
After months of discussions and informal talks with parents, a two-middle-school solution for the overcrowding at Gary Middle School is the best path forward, said Emergency Manager Pete Morikis, opening a Q&A session with parents, teachers, and community members at a public meeting last week at West Side Leadership Academy.
When Gary Middle School opened in August 2018, it was the first year of the program to house all Gary Community School Corporation’s students in grades 6-8 in one building. Enrollment was much more than district officials anticipated, a miscalculation on the part of then Emergency Manager Peggy Hinckley and the MGT Consulting team.
Today, the student population is down to 1100 with portable classrooms handling the overflow.
The plan will bring a second middle school to Bailly in Gary’s Glen Park section. GMS will include a focus on the arts – orchestra, band, theatre, and maybe dance. The FUSE Lab at Bailly will introduce students to the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and math.
Which of the two schools to choose, parents wanted to know. The division line is the expressway, Supt. Morikis said. “Students who live north of the expressway will have the Miller school as their home. Those south of the expressway will be assigned to Glen Park.” Families will have to request a transfer to change schools.
What if there’s an imbalance; if more students choose the arts school? The superintendent believes there will likely be an even match, about 500 in each. “Chances are minute for overpopulation. Either school can easily handle up to 700 students,” Morikis said.
There were suggestions to bring in life skills like cooking, sewing, and banking for students.
A lot rides on getting it right this time for the district. It celebrated a milestone: The first year in decades of not losing at least 500 students. The district only lost 90 students.
If students and families are not satisfied next school year, they have options. They’ll choose a charter school in Gary or a neighboring school district with open enrollment.
Supt. Morikis will present the plan for approval to the Distressed Unit Appeal Board on May 9.
Story Posted:05/06/2019
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