MGT Consulting to Continue Partnership with Gary Schools
(Gary, IND) – The Indiana Distressed Unit Appeal Board (DUAB) today announced its intention to have MGT Consulting Group manage the Gary Community School Corporation for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, with the option to renew.
MGT Consulting Group has operated GCSC since August 2017. Since then, grades based on state tests have held steady, enrollment has stabilized, and the school district’s deficit has fallen from $22 million to $6 million.
“Gary schools are heading in the right direction,” said Dr. Paige McNulty, GCSC Emergency Manager. “Today’s announcement means the MGT team will be able to continue their work with Gary educators and our school community to build on this progress.”
DUAB’s decision will bring much-needed consistency to Gary schools. GCSC plans to distribute a Chromebook with Internet access to every student K-12 for the 2020-21 school year. In addition, GCSC is investing more than $20 million in improvements to school buildings.
“Gary schools have been in a difficult situation for a long time, and now some things are changing and for the better,” said Charles “Chuck” Hughes, President and CEO of the Gary Chamber of Commerce. “Momentum is a train that can achieve greater goals, and I’m glad to see this decision to keep the momentum going.”
Earlier this spring, DUAB held two meetings with MGT to evaluate its plan to continue to improve Gary schools. After listening to community feedback, MGT and GCSC leadership decided to develop a two-year public accountability plan, which students, educators, and residents will be able to give feedback on this summer before a final plan is released after school opens in August. The plan will focus on the same four areas discussed during the community meeting which include academics, engagement, fiscal and operations.
“The community deserves to know where we’re going and how we intend to get there, and we will be asking for their ideas — and their help — along the way,” said Dr. McNulty. “No one knows better than I do how much more work we have ahead of us, and it will take everyone, working together, to meet our goal of offering every Gary student a high-quality education.”
The contract will be with Gary Schools Recovery LLC, a subsidiary of the MGT Consulting Group.