Latest news with #GaryCommunitySchoolCorporation
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Guest column: Gary students deserve more than virtual replacements
As the president of the Gary Teachers Union, I have the privilege of representing the hardworking educators who are the backbone of our community. So it's with deep concern that I must address the recent decision by the Gary Community School Corporation to contract with Proximity, a virtual education provider. This is a move that will replace up to 45 local educators with a teacher-on-a-screen. The misleadingly named Proximity promises a 'licensed teacher in every classroom,' but let's be clear — the deal will only leave students more isolated. This online platform is no silver bullet for the challenges we face in education. It is a shortcut that sacrifices the real, tangible, in-person connections that are essential to student success. I know firsthand how deeply our educators care about our students. We do more than just teach: we mentor, we support, and we understand the unique challenges that each student faces. We know the names of their parents and siblings and can recite their struggles, and their triumphs. We sit through late-night meetings and community events, not because it's part of the job, but because we are part of this community. Our students' success is our success, and their failures weigh heavily on our hearts. This partnership with Proximity is not just a decision to 'go digital' — it is a decision to replace the soul of education with something far more distant. And it's a decision being made with no union collaboration, no teacher buy-in. As the exclusive bargaining representative for our teachers, I wasn't even consulted. Proximity may promise technology that works for some, but a 'virtual teacher' will never attend a school concert, offer a shoulder to cry on, or help a struggling student after school. They will not build the trust and the personal relationships our students need to succeed. The claim that Proximity guarantees a 'licensed' teacher is not an assurance of quality. Licensing is important, but teaching is more than having a piece of paper. It's about understanding the nuances of each student's individual learning journey, responding to their needs, and building a rapport that encourages growth — things that cannot be replicated through an algorithm or a screen. Did we not learn this during COVID? Our public school teachers are not just 'licensed' — they are deeply committed professionals who live, work, and raise families in Gary. They are part of our community. Replacing them with a virtual talking head is an insult to their dedication and to the families that depend on them. Let's not forget the financial implications of this decision. This may not even be cost effective for the school district! Everything we've seen says we'll still need a 'classroom facilitator' to be physically present. How much more will this cost? To the administration of the Gary School Corporation: I urge you to reconsider this decision. This is not just about saving money or adopting the latest technological trend. This is about the future of our children, the integrity of our schools, and the livelihoods of the teachers who are committed to making Gary a better city for everyone. We deserve more than virtual replacements. Our teachers and this community have built a school system that puts children first. We need to fight for our teachers and paraprofessionals — the people who have dedicated their lives to this work and to this city. Our teachers deserve better. Our students deserve better. And the community of Gary deserves better than to be sold short by a for-profit virtual platform.
Chicago Tribune
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Rep. Vernon Smith receives Sagamore of the Wabash award
For Rep. Vernon Smith, receiving a state award was surprising but still rewarding. 'It's one of the highest awards that you can receive from the governor's office,' said Smith, D-Gary. 'I was absolutely exhilarated to be the recipient.' Smith recently received the Sagamore of the Wabash award, which is the highest honor an Indiana governor can give, according to the governor's office. Smith received the award at a dinner celebrating his recent retirement from Indiana University Northwest, he said. The state representative worked in education in Gary for nearly 60 years, he said, and as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Gary Community School Corporation from 1966 to 1992. Smith became a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1990, according to the Indiana House Democratic Caucus' website. Before his time at the statehouse, Smith served on the Gary Common Council, starting in 1972. At the statehouse, Smith serves as ranking minority member of the Indiana House Education Committee and is a member of the Local Government Committee. According to the governor's website, former Gov. Ralph Gates created the Sagamore of the Wabash award during his 1945-1949 term. 'Sagamore' is a Native American term that means a subordinate chief or someone a chief would look to for advice, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Since Gates, each Indiana governor presented the award to various Hoosiers, but the total number of recipients is unknown, according to the governor's website. 'I appreciate the award,' Smith said. 'I had a chance to serve with (Gov. Mike Braun) for four years in the House. But, this shows he has respected my tenure, both as an educator and as a public servant. It felt really good that he chose me.' Braun's office did not respond to a request for comment about the award. In a Thursday statement, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton congratulated Smith on receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash. He said the city is proud to call Smith one of their own. Melton and Smith worked together at the Indiana Statehouse while Melton served as state senator. Melton said the two worked to advance legislation that broadened outreach for the state's 21st Century Scholars program. They also collaborated on a House bill to reestablish an elected school board in Gary and a Senate bill to restore local control to the Gary Community School Corporation. 'These victories and honors show what's possible when leaders put the community at the center of every decision and highlight the lasting impact Rep. Smith has made on countless lives through his advocacy, mentorship, and leadership,' Melton said in his statement. 'His voice for education and economic opportunity has guided Gary through moments of challenge and transformation to secure vital resources and hope for our future.' The Gary Common Council recognized Smith for his service to local education and as state senator at its Tuesday meeting. Council members also congratulated Smith for receiving the Sagamore of the Wabash. 'We are so proud of you,' said Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd. Brown said Tuesday that she's known Smith and his family for years, and it's made her proud to watch him progress as an educator and politician. Brown read a proclamation that recognized Smith for his service to the city during Tuesday's council meeting. Other council members recalled times that Smith mentored them throughout their political careers. Councilman Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large, recalled a summer he spent interning at the Indiana statehouse, where he told Smith he would never get involved with politics, and it 'broke (Smith's) heart.' Whisenton was elected to the council in late 2024, after state Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary, resigned. 'I called you several months ago, and I said, 'Doc, I think God is talking to me and telling me to get involved with city politics,'' Whisenton said. 'I said, 'I don't know what to make of it.' The first thing he said was, 'Do it. Run.'' Whisenton said he wouldn't be on council without Smith, and he's thankful to have him in his life. Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, also said Smith played a large role in his political career. He recognized Smith for the work that he's done to help young Black males in Gary and throughout the state. 'I've learned so much from you,' Washington said. 'I'm thankful you've been part of my life.' Smith is grateful he's had an opportunity to impact various lives in Gary, both as an educator and state senator. He wasn't expecting to receive the Sagamore of the Wabash, and he said it's been great to receive the recognition. 'I've had the chance to impact the lives of so many young people from kindergarten through graduate school,' Smith said. 'I'm not the kind of person that's looking for praise … I try to be as humble as I can while serving God's people.'
Chicago Tribune
09-06-2025
- Science
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Youth summer programs and concert lineups
Indiana University Northwest will host a free Forensic Investigations Summer Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23 to 26. The four-day immersive camp will feature interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory work, field trips and real-world exposure to the many facets of forensic science. Open to local students entering 11th or 12th grade in fall 2025, camp activities will be led by IU Northwest faculty, staff and area professionals, providing students with a comprehensive introduction to the field. Space is limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, visit The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) will offer a wide range of summer programs to support academic growth for students of all ages. Summer School for students enrolled in the Gary Community School Corporation, specifically second- and third-graders, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through June 26. Targeted academic opportunities will be tailored to students' needs, with a focus on developing critical reading skills. At the high school level, Summer School classes take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students grades 9 through 12. Credit recovery will be available as well as opportunities for students to excel further in their academic journeys. The Summer Passports program is open to all students entering Kindergarten through 12th grade. Rising kindergarten through 8th-grade students from any school in Gary can attend this free program. For grades 9 through 12, students must be registered as GCSC scholars to participate. Registration is required for the Summer Passports Program. Curriculum topics include health, career exploration, and extracurricular activities that will be available beyond the summer. The Gary Community School Corporation also is partnering with local organizations to provide additional programming: Gear Up STEM Camp for middle school students explores the world of science, technology, engineering, and math from June 16 to 18; and the Second Annual Northwest Learning Lab for students entering the fourth or fifth grade, hosted by the Urban League of Northwest Indiana. This program offers enrichment experiences outside of the classroom. To ensure all Gary Community School Corporation students can participate, breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided at no cost for enrolled participants. For more information and bus routes, visit or call a student's home school for assistance. The Valparaiso Creative Council (VCC) has grown its artist programming over the past two years, providing a free quarterly series entitled Art + Innovation featuring local artists at two downtown Valpo venues: Roots Cafe and Lower Lincoln. As an expansion of this programming, VCC now also partners with Purdue University Northwest to exhibit at their Hammond campus. The VCC's latest Art + Innovation artist exhibit, 'Comparative Works of Art Deco + Sculpture,' is on display through July 11 at Roots Cafe, 108 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, and Lower Lincoln, 212 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. The six featured artists are: Collin Smallegan; Carol Estes; Lizzy Cohan; Ricardo Cortez; Heather Wood; and Teneia Dilosa. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. June 19 at Roots Cafe, transferring to Lower Lincoln at 5:15 p.m. Drinks will be available and two professional creatives will be featured as speakers: Women Owned NWI @womenownednwi and Eddie Escalantes @partyproz219. More information can be found at Experience summer evenings under the stars at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest's (PNW) 2025 Acorn Concert Series, featuring five outdoor family-friendly music shows. All shows will begin at 7 p.m. at 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso. For all concert and ticket information, visit The full 2025 Acorn Concert Series lineup includes: Kashmir – Led Zeppelin tribute, with opening act Triangle Method, June 20; Rocks Off – Rolling Stone tribute, with opening act Head Honchos, July 11; Hyryder – Grateful Dead tribute band, Aug. 9; The Mike and Joe Band – Modern Rock tribute, with opening act The Double Features, Aug. 29; and The Prince Experience – Prince tribute, with opening act Lauren Dukes, Sept. 12. Gates open one hour before showtime. Concerts will be held rain or shine. Individual tickets are $23 in advance, increasing to $28 the week of the concert for non-members. Children age 12 and younger are free but must attend with a paying adult. Event parking is free but limited. Special member and season ticket pricing is available, including VIP season tickets that are on sale through June 20. Local food vendors will be on-site selling alcoholic beverages and food. No outside alcohol is permitted; coolers and personal items are subject to search. Friendly dogs on leash are permitted. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating. For more information on the Acorn Concert Series, visit Lake County Master Gardeners will present the 2025 Garden Walk, 'June in Bloom,' from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29. Stroll through nine inspiring private gardens in Crown Point, Lowell and Cedar Lake, where homeowners and Master Gardeners will be on-site to share tips, answer questions, and showcase how gardens can be both beautiful and beneficial. Practically Magic, 611 N. Indiana Ave., Crown Point, will be the official ticket hub and cooling station. There attendees can pick up their Garden Walk program booklets, raffle entries and refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at Leo's in Cedar Lake, Niemeyer's, The Artful Garden, Elzinga's, Walt's in Dyer, Remus Farms in Hobart, Alsip's, Mighty Mike's in St. John, Bee Quilting and Such in Munster and via Eventbrite, surcharge applies. Tickets are $15, children 12 and younger are free. More information can be found at or email lakecountymastergardeners@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
From Schools to Taxes: How Recent Indiana Laws Impact Gary
What happens at the Statehouse certainly doesn't stay there, and for cities like Gary, the ripple effects are impossible to ignore. As Indiana lawmakers wrapped up this year's legislative session, several key bills, namely SB 1 and HB 1001, emerged that could reshape how Gary collects tax revenue and even communicate major decisions to residents. Local and state lawmakers warn these changes could threaten Gary's finances and strain the public school district. The long-standing compact between the cities of Gary and Chicago that established the Chicago-Gary Regional Airport Authority is set to be formally dissolved. Under the new legislation, the Gary Common Council is required to take specific steps to terminate the agreement, which was originally enacted in 1995, by Jan. 1, 2026. By July 1, 2025, a majority of Gary's appointed representatives to the airport authority must adopt a resolution endorsing the termination, and the Gary Common Council must pass an ordinance to make it official. The law also directs the dissolution of a separate airport authority board previously established by Gary. This marks a significant shift in regional transportation planning and governance, raising questions about the future of the Gary/Chicago International Airport and its role in cross-state economic development. The Common Council created a new committee to exclusively address state legislation that Council President Lori Latham recognized as a persistent roadblock for Gary's progress. 'It's not lost on us that every time we try to either build, establish or maintain an economic development driver in our community that the state has something to say or do about it,' Latham said, addressing the prescribed changes. Councilman Darren Washington, who will chair the committee, questioned the legality of the bill, stating the council would be conferring with its legal counsel as well as the administration's. ''To arbitrarily, at the last minute — it was literally the night before [the] session ended that language was stuck in House Bill 1001 to put the onus of the Gary Common Council to end the compact,' he said. 'I don't know if that is legal.' Local state legislators like state Rep. Vernon Smith expressed concern over the bill's impact on Gary schools. 'I fail to see how this budget invests in our communities and our families,' Smith said in a statement provided to Capital B Gary. 'Our schools will have just enough to stay afloat, but they won't have the funding they need to thrive. Like always with the state legislature, Gary will get little.' 'The funding for urban schools in this budget is insufficient,' Smith continued. 'It puts Gary Community School Corporation in a difficult position. The state takeover of our school board due to financial distress just ended in 2024. GCSC has to stay in the black, and the state isn't doing anything to help.' If the city of Gary or the Gary Community School Corporation wants to raise property taxes through a referendum, they now have stricter rules to follow. These ballot questions — where voters are asked to approve extra funding for things like school improvements or city projects — can appear only during general elections in November. Local officials also have a firm deadline: They must submit the request by noon on Aug. 1 to get it on the ballot. And for school districts in Lake County, including Gary, any referendum passed after May 10, 2023, could require some of that new tax money to be shared with nearby charter schools — even if the vote was intended to support traditional public schools. Gary's last referendum vote was during the 2020 general election, when voters approved a $71.2 million property tax measure to support the Gary Community School Corporation. By Jan. 1, 2026, the state will launch an online portal designed to make property taxes easier to understand. For Gary residents and taxpayers across the state, this tool will let residents see how their current property tax bill compares to what it would be if proposed tax rates change in the future. The website will also break down what deductions and credits they might be eligible for and give them a chance to share feedback directly with state and local officials. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., who voted against both bills, said he didn't see any benefit for Lake County. 'Along with the impact of House Bill 1001, Lake County is set to lose hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Senate Bill 2,' he said. 'This budget will do nothing to help Lake County residents, who will pay much more in local income taxes while getting minimal property tax relief. No one wins under this budget.' The post From Schools to Taxes: How Recent Indiana Laws Impact Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary.
CBS News
20-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Storms peel roof off school in Gary, rip down trees around Northwest Indiana
Storms that pounded the Chicago area Wednesday left a path of destruction and devastation in Gary, Indiana — ripping roofs of houses and even a school. A tornado is suspected to have been to blame for some of the damage in Gary. On Wednesday night, the City of Gary confirmed residents spotted a funnel cloud near 21st Avenue and Hendricks Street. Multiple homes and businesses saw significant wind damage, along with flooding and trees and limbs coming down. At 21st Avenue and Wallace Street in Gary, Ebony Perkins received a call to rush home. "I'm very thankful I wasn't home," Perkins said. "My daughter called because she thought I was at home, and told me she saw it on Facebook that the house was damaged." Perkins discovered the roof to her house was gone — sitting on the neighbors' house. Light poles crashed through windows and roofs on the block, leaving Perkins and many others unable to stay in their homes Wednesday night. "What I seen is my whole life is gone," Perkins said. "I just bought this house." Perkins' home was one of at least seven homes with severe roof damage on the west side of Gary. "We know a significant amount of structures have been pretty much damaged severely," said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. "A lot of folks have been displaced from their homes." Gary Fire Chief Larry Tillman praised the efforts of his men and women took to make sure that they got everyone out of their damaged houses — with downed electrical wires trapping many people. "We had people staying place until we could actually get to them. Some of them, we did have to make emergency moves, on some of the ceilings, the roof was coming down inside of the homes," Tillman said. "We had to move some of their people from their homes to the garage just to get out of the rain until we could get ambulance crews in the area to bring them out." Right across the street, Gary firefighters made their way inside Frankie Woods McCullough Academy, a public school located at 3757 W. 21st Ave. Strong winds and a possible tornado peeled back the roof of the school and damaged the gymnasium and classrooms. CBS News Chicago is told several janitorial staff members were inside the building at the time. "I can probably say with 100% of certainty that they experienced some fear," said Gary Community School Corporation Supt. Dr. Yvonne Stokes. "However, they were very brave. They did what they were supposed to do. They took cover. I'm happy to report no one was hurt." Yet the school serves some 515 students. Stokes said the school district is still assessing the damage, but she knows if the storm had moved in just a few hours earlier, all the boys and girls would have been in harm's way. "Well, had it been two hours earlier, I'd like to believe that my staff would have pivoted and taken our students into their safety zones — but I'm glad it wasn't," Stokes said. "With that being said, we will be looking at making a plan to move forward, because we don't know how long it will take to fix the building." The school will be closed Thursday and Friday. Spring break starts for the district next week. Also in Gary, broken glass was reported at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, and an abandoned structure collapsed. The City of Gary said its General Services teams were working to clear fallen branches and debris. For downed power lines, residents should use extreme caution and call NIPSCO directly at 800-464-7726. Mayor Melton said the City of Gary is working with the American Red Cross to make sure displaced residents receive shelter. The City of Gary also noted that The Monroe Center, at 4101 Washington St., is open for residents in need of an emergency shelter. The Monroe Center can be reached at 219-501-8766. Highland, Indiana was also hit especially hard by storms that blasted through the Chicago area Wednesday — with numerous trees coming down and at least one landing on a house. On Forrest Drive in Highland, neighbors really saw the brunt of the aftermath. Two families saw trees completely uprooted on land on their lawn, and Sheila Courtright saw a tree land right on her house. The portion of the tree that landed on Courtright's house was nearly 6 feet tall, and it was scary for her and her family — who were home at the time. Courtright and her family have lived in the house for more than 40 years. The front portion of the house saw leaks and damage from the tree falling on it. Jessica Ramirez lives a few doors down. "It went from zero to 100 real quick outside," Ramirez said. She said her mom, Rosie Ramirez, was paying a visit Wednesday afternoon when the storm hit. "She was parked in the driveway, and as soon as the winds picked up, she was like, 'No, I got to go move my car,'" said Jessica Ramirez. A horror followed immediately. "All of a sudden, I feel my car lifting up in the air, and I'm screaming to my husband — I have him on the phone — I said, 'It's taking me! It's taking me!'" said Rosie Ramirez. Their family, car, and home were all safe after the tree in front was uprooted. It fell in their yard. Daniel Aguirre also has a home on Forest Drive. "Once I heard like very hard drops hitting the window, I grabbed my family and ran to the basement," Aguirre said. "I heard a loud screeching sound, kind of like a loud train coming at the house." Aguirre said his roof and gutter might need some repairs the tree fell on his home. As for Courtright, she is staying at her daughter's for the time being. She said the family does not want to take any chances. "This thing could come down further because of the way it's coming out that way," she said of the tree on her house, which also ripped up the sidewalk as it was uprooted. Highland Public Works employees were seen in trucks Wednesday night, assessing the damage a bit. However, a lot of the work cannot be done, and the trees cannot to be removed, until the sun is up on Thursday.
