The second and final phase of the Community Foundation of Wabash County’s “Studies for Advancement” may fall apart if the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County (MSD) is unable to reach an internal consensus and meet with Wabash City Schools.
The two school boards will need to submit a joint proposal outlining the scope, timeline and budget for the study in order receive Community Foundation funding. The limited scope of the study, which the foundation said will focus on district consolidation, is a sticking point for the MSD school board.
Manchester Community Schools has already opted out of the second phase, while Wabash City Schools’ school board has voted to move forward and would like to submit a joint proposal by January.
“Without a complete picture no decision is ever possible,” WCS Board President Kim Pinkerton said on Monday. “We always wanted the questions answered if this makes sense for this county and what our goals are. I think anytime we engage in anything like this we have to answer those questions.”
Last week, Community Foundation Executive Director Patty Grant explained that from the foundation’s point of view, phase two has always been intended to be about exploring consolidation. She did not specify whether the Community Foundation would be willing to expand the scope of phase two.
The MSD board will host a special work session to discuss the study at 5 p.m. next Tuesday, one hour prior to the board’s regular meeting.
Should the board decide to drop out of the study, WCS will be the sole district interested in financing a study on district consolidation. Callahan on Monday that City Schools will continue to explore the idea with or without the “Studies for Advancement.”
“As we’ve talked about on numerous occasions, we’re going to drive our mission and we see this as building capacity to achieve that mission,” Callahan said. “But with or without the study we’re driving our mission.”
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