Letters to the editor, Feb. 25

League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County opposes HB 1315 

Many individuals have voiced their support for Ball State University’s governance of Muncie Community Schools. Our opposition is no reflection on the potential positive impact that Ball State could have on MCS. 

HB 1315 violates longstanding LWVUS principles that call for an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive. 

The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. 

The Indiana Constitution states that power resides with the people: 

Sec. 1. WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that  all power is inherent in the People; and that all free governments are, and of right ought to be, founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being. 

HB 1315 removes power from the people of Muncie. 

•  It legislates an appointed school board. 
•  It requires that only two of the seven appointees must reside in the Muncie Community Schools District. 
•  It removes oversight permanently from the citizens of Muncie. 

HB 1315 establishes a governmental structure for a public school system that is anything but open, representative, accountable and responsive. 

These reasons alone make imperative our opposition to HB 1315. 

Linda Hanson

League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County

Ball State students look forward to mentoring MCS students 

I am a first-year student in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State. I chose to major in urban planning to assist communities in shaping their future and help them become great places to live and work. But I don’t want to wait until I graduate to get involved, and many of my fellow students at Ball State would like to assist, too. 

I want to support the community I am living in now and give back to it like it has given to me. I care about Muncie and the interests of its people, and the children are a large part of this. That’s what drew my attention to the bill for Ball State to assume responsibility for Muncie Community Schools. If this bill passes, I hope other Ball State students and I will have more opportunities to support the younger generation at MCS. 

Ball State students can mentor the MCS children and even begin to give them a different perspective on their futures. 

We are here at Ball State to develop our own career paths, but if we can teach the younger generation what we are learning, it could change their lives. Becoming more involved would also make my education at Ball State even more meaningful than it already is. Therefore, I support Ball State assuming responsibility for MCS. It would be a win for all students at Ball State and MCS. I am excited about the possibilities of the future, and I hope you are, too. 

Madison Lindsay

Ball State student, Corydon

A step toward stability at MCS 

After spending 25 years teaching in the Muncie Community Schools, I could have left, but I chose to stay. Many other teachers have made this same decision because we believe in our schools. I love what I do, and feel that I make a difference.

 With Muncie’s high poverty level, teaching is not an easy job. My school offers a good teaching and learning environment.  Teachers and students need a stable school corporation. It’s time to take that step. 

 The proposed legislation for Ball State University to assume responsibility for managing MCS offers us a chance at that stability. Ball State is an institution with a proven track record. Although I have some questions about employee benefits, I want what is best for our students and community. 

 I understand financial decisions had to be made, and that included closing elementary schools. I hope Ball State will revisit those decisions, especially concerning buildings that are now vacant. Some schools, like mine, are at capacity. When the Muncie schools achieve stability more people will come back, and our enrollment will increase. We need to utilize space we already have in place instead of costly renovations or new buildings. 

 I have never been vocal, but I feel it is important to hear from teachers who chose to stay with the Muncie schools. All teachers are here because we want to help children.  I want teachers like me to stay, and parents to regain confidence in our ability to provide a strong educational environment. 

Jeanne LaSpina

Muncie

 Ball State and MCS could have several opportunities together 

My 221/2-year career with Muncie Community Schools ended in October 2016 when I resigned from my position as a teacher and interventionist who assisted at-risk students. Teaching was my life. I loved my kids so much.

I have a longtime connection to Muncie and MCS. My father was a teacher and administrator for MCS. I grew up here and graduated from Northside High School. I have my undergraduate degree in elementary education from Ball State as well as my master’s. At MCS, I have taught at Washington Carver, South View, and Mitchell.

If Ball State assumes responsibility for managing MCS, it would be a good thing. There are several opportunities for immersive learning projects, like the improvements to the Maring-Hunt Community Garden, symphony petting zoo, Charlie Brown Planetarium, Cardinal Zumba, and nutrition classes that have benefited both MCS schoolchildren and Ball State students. When my daughter was a child, she attended a Ball State program and benefited from its caring environment and developed a love of learning. 

Ball State students can assist MCS faculty and staff with technology. MCS could benefit from Ball State’s existing partnerships with community organizations and the additional resources these partnerships could offer. Although this is a big task to undertake, I am hopeful it can be achieved if dedicated and experienced teachers and stakeholders are part of the solution. Because we need real-world solutions to real-world problems in Muncie. 

If House Bill 1315 becomes law, I hope we will see more collaborations like these between MCS and Ball State. 

Annette Downing

Muncie

Ball State can restore Muncie schools 

I support the bill allowing Ball State University to assume responsibility for Muncie Community Schools because I’ve seen a similar partnership benefit a school in an emergency situation. Just before I became principal of Muncie Central in 1999, our school was put on academic probation. For Muncie Central to be put on probation was just devastating.

One of the first calls I got was from Roy Weaver, who was Teachers College dean at the time. He said he would do whatever he could to help. I was familiar with the folks in Educational Leadership and was encouraged someone that high up at Ball State would offer assistance. 

In the months that followed, we became a professional development school. One of Dean Weaver’s colleagues researched why kids drop out. Ball State education students met with their professors in our building and then assisted individual teachers and students. With Ball State’s assistance, we looked at the curriculum and sought different disciplines we could tie together, like science and math. 

Those are just a few examples of Ball State’s innovation. Our partnership with Ball State was a good experience. Our probation ended within a year, and assistance from Ball State, along with hard work by staff and students, were key elements in our success. 

If House Bill 1315 passes, Ball State could expand the repertoire of what happens in the classroom and advertise the many good things already going on in MCS. Ball State has vast experience within the school setting, new and innovative ideas, and good public relations we need so badly. A field of experts available and willing to help would be positive, and Muncie schools need positives. 

Dick Daniel

Retired Muncie Central principal