Governor, Mearns discuss Ball State-Muncie Community Schools partnership

MUNCIE, Ind. — A "State of the Schools" event held Wednesday provided an opportunity to review the six years since the Indiana General Assembly gave Ball State University oversight of the then-troubled Muncie Community Schools system.

According to Muncie school officials and Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns, the collaboration — making Ball State the first university in the nation to oversee a local school district — has been productive, to the benefit of both students and their teachers.

"Ball State University took the risk," said Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Muncie school's director of public education and CEO. "We have made significant progress, even though there's a lot of work to do."

Under the agreement, Ball State appoints the five members of the school board that oversees the city school district. Two of those members come through recommendations from the mayor of Muncie and Muncie City Council.

"Student enrollment has stabilized," the school board's president, James Williams, said. "We've seen a drastic improvement in district finances. We have a $32 million cash balance."

When the new board began its work in 2018, Williams noted, the school district had a negative cash balance of about about $9 million.

Benefits for teachers have also improved, resulting in improved retention rates.

More: Muncie schools CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski to retire in June; Chuck Reynolds will take helm

In five years, the starting pay for a Muncie Community Schools teacher increased from $34,659 to $51,500.

Most importantly, officials said, testing reflects improved academic performance by students. Muncie schools now have nearly 5,000 students.

Wednesday's event — at Southside Middle School — also drew Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb praised Mearns for his "willingness to take a risk, maybe get out of the comfort zone, and lead by example" in recommending what became the university's partnership with the city school system.

The governor said that partnership was "proof of how powerful collaboration and commitment in a community can be."

Mearns called Wednesday's event "an opportunity to celebrate the enthusiasm, the energy, the optimism and the hope."

The Ball State president said it was "clear to me that the future of Muncie is dependent on the quality of our public schools, and that our university's future is dependent upon a vibrant city of Muncie."

He also said Ball State, having long been supported by the Muncie community, had a "moral obligation to embrace this opportunity."

While there was "pride and gratification in how far we've come," there was "much more work to do," Mearns said.

"The bright future that is in store for the children of Muncie had been possible because of the hard work and dedication of so many people on our campus, and throughout our community." he said. "We're here to celebrate success and re-commit to a brighter future."

Kwiatkowski — who is retiring at the end of the school year— introduced her successor, Chuck Reynolds, current associate superintendent.

Wednesday's event also provided updates on teaching methods, renovation of MCS facilities, "social emotional learning," career training, pre-school classes, athletics, extracurricular activities and efforts at community engagement

Near the end of the program, Faizan Reshtya, a sixth-grader from Northside Middle School, read an essay on the benefits of unity.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: BSU-Muncie school partnership celebrated at Southside