The Future of Manual High School
(Charlie Overton shared the following report about the March 6th, 2019 meeting.)
I attended the ISTA meeting this am.
The first order of business was a time for public comment. There were about 4 folks to keep the schools with Charter USA and not return to IPS, and about the same suggesting a delay of a month for more comment and then take a vote. Some felt that they had not been heard.
One of the folks for the delay was IPS. There suggestion was because of the supervisory change and board change of their board with the most recent election, that they would reconsider the outcome of all three schools. They would remain high schools and a grade school. One of their thoughts was that it could become an innovation/charter school. Note, this was also the first time that IPS had voiced an opinion on their involvement. This question was asked by a board member and IPS said that was true.
In addition IPS brought up the financing of the buildings. With basically updates for air conditioning all three buildings have debt. Donnan will be paid for in 2020, so not a problem, Manual will be paid off in 2026 and Howe in 2032. And because of the "tax free" implication of the bonds for the debt the IPS attorney was not sure how releasing the schools (Manual & Howe) to Charter USA would affect that status since IRS has not ruled that charter schools are "Public schools" and fall under the same rules and regulations of public schools. There will be continued discussion on this subject. In general, I think the board wants IPS to get a "fair shake" and not just deed over for $1.
The task forces presentation, by Charlie Schlegal, went through what they did with meetings, community involvement, etc. to come to their decision. The board member, who was part of the task force made a motion to accept the task forces recommendation of having Charter USA proceed to apply and "take over" the school. There was a second and much discussion from thanks to the hard work of the task force to do we need to delay the decision to our next meeting in a month.
Much of the discussion of the delay was countered with: schools are hiring teachers, will current teachers have jobs, would I send my child to a school knowing that in two years they may need to change because that school is closed. Board members recognized that these were valid points.
There was a motion to table the vote until the next meeting and it was defeated 6-4. There was a motion to take the schools individually and that was defeated 6-4 and then (same person making all three of these motions-a fellow by the name of Hedrick who I have met and is a commercial realtor) then a motion to require Charter USA to change the name and mascot of Manual-there was no second to that motion so it died.
Then the board voted on the task forces recommendation to have Charter USA to begin the process of the take over and it was approved 7-3. Not sure why but Jennifer McCormick, Superintendent of Public Instruction voted against?
There will continue to be discussion about the finances of the buildings and this could come back before the board at some time for further consideration.
On a somewhat unrelated note, I could not find a parking spot on the street so I parked in a public garage. I was kind of surprised that for 2.25 hours it cost $39. But I did find a dime on the ground of the parking garage. 
Posted for Charlie Overton - Click the "reply" button to add your thoughts.
