The Gary Community School Corporation is facing significant changes as a proposed house bill seeks to convert 50 schools in the Indianapolis Public Schools District into charter schools, impacting several districts, including Gary. Authored by Representative Jay Teschka, House Bill 1136 would dissolve districts where over half of the students are enrolled in non-district schools, a situation that currently affects Gary, which has seen a dramatic decline in enrollment.

As of the latest figures, Gary Community School Corporation has 11,764 students residing within its boundaries, but only 4,144 are enrolled in its schools. This means that approximately 65% of students are attending schools outside the district. The bill mandates that if this trend continues, the district must transition to charter schools by July 1, 2028, starting with those schools that have the lowest state assessment scores.

The backdrop to this situation includes a seven-year state takeover of the Gary schools, which ended in July 2024. This takeover led to a significant loss of students, as many families lost faith in the district's ability to provide quality education. Since regaining control, the newly formed school board and Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes have been working to rebuild trust and attract students back to the district. Recent reports indicate a slight increase in enrollment, with 214 additional students counted in the fall and 153 more anticipated in the upcoming spring count.

The school board is focusing on financial stability, academic improvement, professional development, and enhancing community engagement to reverse the trend of declining enrollment. The proposed legislation adds urgency to these efforts, as the future of the district hangs in the balance. The community is watching closely as these developments unfold, with the potential for significant changes to the educational landscape in Gary.