The City of Muncie has experienced a major transition over
the past several decades, shifting from a prosperous manufacturing community to
one striving to redefine itself within an increasingly globalized,
knowledge-driven world. The manifestations of that change have been
visible in a variety of ways, including population loss, high poverty rates,
and a host of civic challenges. The latest such development has been the
consolidation of the city’s two high schools, a decision taken in early 2014 and
now being implemented. This change represents a particular blow to the
city’s predominantly blue-collar south side, which will see its local high
school closed. Muncie Southside High School served as anchor for that
part of the city, one that helped define a community. Its closing
represents a significant loss for local residents.
The Muncie High School Consolidation Oral Histories project
documents this experience. It features
interviews with community leaders and local citizens who share their perspectives
on merger of the city’s two high schools.
Among the interviewees are all of the members of the Muncie Community
Schools Board of Trustees at the time of the consolidation, the Superintendent
of Schools, the Mayor, and a number of other local leaders. It also includes interviews with a cross
section of community members. Videos and
transcriptions of the interviews are found here. Ball State University Libraries’ Archives and
Special Collections also holds additional archival materials related to the
merger. Details about that collection
are here.