A small group of adults aired complaints about the operation of Gary’s West Side Leadership Academy Thursday morning outside the school, but there was no student walkout like last week.
Meanwhile inside the school, school staffers challenged students to a basketball game in response to their gripes about a lack of fun activities.
The adult protesters remained outside for more than an hour condemning the district’s takeover and criticizing its state-hired manager, Florida-based MGT of America Consulting LLC.
They cited what they called faulty restroom facilities, few cafeteria options, and a lack of academic progress.
About 92% of Gary students are Black, and it’s the lone district in Indiana managed by the state after a 2017 takeover due to its heavy debt load and budget deficit.
The takeover law by the GOP-dominated General Assembly stripped the district of its elected school board and superintendent and replaced them with MGT. Instead of a school board, decisions are made largely by an appointed manager.
Robert Buggs, who serves as president of the district’s advisory board, said West Side’s graduation rate dropped dramatically after the district takeover. In 2018, the rate was 80%. It dropped to 59% in 2019 and improved to 67% last year.
Buggs also criticized the district’s IREAD exam scores. Last year, 37% of the district’s third-graders passed the exam taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state data.
“If you can’t read by third grade, it’s a pipeline to prison,” Buggs said.
District manager Paige McNulty responded Thursday that a productive dialogue was underway between students and administrators.
“The walkout last week, which was not organized by students, has fortunately resulted in positive outcomes,” she said. “School and District leaders met and continue to meet with WSLA students to listen and address their concerns. Repairs to bathrooms were already taking place and are near completion.”
McNulty said school officials were focused on making academic progress as well as meeting the social and emotional needs of students.
“There are established, orderly ways for students to convey their ideas and concerns. We are so proud of our young people for taking a collaborative approach, and their efforts are already manifesting,” she said.
Many of the adults in the small protest said the district’s problems began when the state passed a law establishing charter schools nearly two decades ago.
“The education system in Gary is just like everywhere else — it’s under siege,” said Gary resident Dena Neal. She blamed the advent of charter schools for luring students away.
“They knew we would gravitate to charters,” she said citing charters’ newer buildings.
Nikki Byrd, who’s been protesting outside West Side on Thursdays since last fall, said school officials don’t listen to students. “That’s why we’re here,” she said.
Retired teacher Carolyn McCrady said the district has reached a low point under the state takeover.
“We have to be very diligent,” she said. “If this is no good, what is it we want to replace it with?” she said.
Gary lawmakers hoped to add legislation into another bill to end the takeover during the past session that ended earlier this week. They didn’t succeed in that effort, but they hope to author another bill next year.
LaVetta Sparks-Wade, a parent and former city councilwoman, said parents from the West Side PTSA have been voicing concerns about improvements since the takeover began.
She said meetings haven’t included public dialogue like they did when the district had an elected school board.
Meetings have also been limited to virtual ones since the pandemic, but most districts have already opened up meetings to the public.
“It is our hope that those in the community, who have chosen to protest, recognize the work we are doing on the inside instead of continuing to stand outside and complain,” McNulty said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
