Topics: Administrative, Board of Trustees, President
March 6, 2018
Today, the Indiana Senate passed a bill allowing Ball State University to assume responsibility for managing Muncie Community Schools. The following email from President Mearns was sent to our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Earlier today, the Indiana Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve an amended version of HB 1315, which is the proposed legislation that would enable our University to appoint a new school board that will assume responsibility for managing the Muncie Community Schools (“MCS”) on July 1, 2018. The Senate vote was 35-14. I am very gratified that the members of the Senate recognize that our University – our faculty, staff, and students – have the capacity to partner with the teachers and staff of MCS in a very meaningful and constructive way.
The version of the bill approved by the Senate, though, is different from the version approved by the House of Representatives. Therefore, leaders from both chambers of the General Assembly will likely meet very soon in a conference committee to reconcile those differences. We will continue to work with the members of the General Assembly to produce a final bill that will enable us to provide the best educational experience for the children of Muncie. Simply put, that objective is our only goal.
After the conference committee concludes its work, a consensus bill will be presented to the House and Senate for final votes. Those votes will occur by March 14, at the latest.
As presently drafted, the legislation provides that our University will only assume this responsibility if our Board of Trustees agrees to do so. If the legislation is approved by the General Assembly, I anticipate that the Board will consider this issue at its next scheduled Board meeting, which is on March 30.
Thank you for your support and your encouragement.