Indiana State Board of Education OKs $2.5 million for Gary Roosevelt

Gary Roosevelt is a turnaround academy operated by EdisonLearning, a Tennessee-based private management company. This is a routine transfer that has occurred twice a year since the private company began operating the school five years ago.

The state board approved turning over the failing high school to EdisonLearning in 2011 to improve academics at the school. While the school has made some improvements, it continues to get a failing grade from the Indiana Department of Education.

After an acrimonious relationship between EdisonLearning and Gary Community School Corp., the two key school leaders pledged to work together.

In March, Gary school Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt and EdisonLearning CEO/President Thom Jackson recommended a collaborative plan that would allow the Gary school district, EdisonLearning and the Indiana Department of Education to work together.

Pruitt and Jackson said they would create a transformation zone, allowing the district to look holistically at school improvement.

In April, the SBOE adopted a resolution extending the contract with EdisonLearning for one year allowing the two to develop a formal agreement to operate Roosevelt as a transformation zone/innovation network school.

This move also allows the state to hire two consultants to work with EdisonLearning and Gary schools to design and execute a school plan.

A liaison consultant will serve as a technical adviser and advocate providing vision, focus and unified direction. A program manager consultant's role will be integral in managing relationships with local community-based organizations, state offices and school districts.

SBOE member Eddie Melton, who was not at the meeting, said in a release issued by the state that he has been working closely with SBOE staff and Gary school leaders on creating the consultant positions.

"I am confident that bringing in additional resources will help give Roosevelt High School the direction and guidance it needs to move in a positive direction,” he said.