Events leading up to and post the passage of H.B. 1315

April 2017 - Cash-flow crisis

Facing a cash-flow crisis and the threat of a possible takeover by the state, MCS officials make plans to close underutilized buildings and to cut more than $10 million from the district budget. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill allowing a state board to monitor MCS’s debt reduction actions and to take control of the district if enough progress toward finding a financial footing is not made

September - December 2017:

MCS puts six of its buildings - including three former elementary schools and Northside Middle School - up for sale in September. By the end of the year, Indiana’s Distressed Unit Appeals Board (DUAB) members vote to designate MCS as a “distressed political subdivision” and move the district under total control by the state.

January - March 2018: House Bill 1315 fails to pass

H.B. 1315 is introduced in January, giving Ball State full responsibility for MCS. The bill passed the House and the Senate, but one amendment to the bill fails causing it to be returned to the House. Legislators failed to address the bill during the March legislative session before the session’s final hours, killing the bill. Shortly after the end of the regular session, Holcomb called for a special session.

May 2018: HB 1315 passes

During a special session for the bill, it passes both the House and the Senate. Later, Ball State’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to assume responsibility of MCS. Following the passage of the bill, the partnership had already raised $3 million in community support from foundations businesses and private donors.

June-July 2018 - The new MCS board

Ball State’s Board of Trustees announced in June the seven individuals selected to serve on the MCS board. Members of the MCS board began their duties in July.

January 2019: The two councils

MCS and Ball State’s Community Engagement Council hosted an inaugural “We Thank You Appreciation Luncheon” to recognize teachers. The event was attended by almost 600 educators and supporters. The MCS-Ball State Joint Academic Innovation Council was established to begin work on the long-term Academic Innovation and Financial Viability Plan. The following month, the MCS board appoints Charles Reynolds as associate superintendent.

May 2019: Community Input

The Community Engagement Council hosted “A Night 4 You” a teacher-appreciation event for Muncie educators. The Academic Innovation Council hosted “Dreams for Our Schools,” an open forum that kicked off a three-month effort in partnership with the United Way of Delaware County to collect educator and community input on the Academic Innovation Plan.

July 2019: New CEO appointed

MCS board voted to hire Lee Ann Kwiatowski as the new director for public education and CEO. Muncie teachers received their first salary increase in eight years. Kwiatowski previously served as senior education adviser to Holcomb and chief of staff of the Indiana Department of Education.

September 2019: The road ahead

The council hosted an inaugural district-wide day-and-a-half Innovation Summit, the outcomes of which would inform the Academic Innovation Plan. The Academic Innovation and Financial Viability Plan is due to the Indiana General Assembly June 2020.