Officials in the Taylor Community Schools may have to make a decision about consolidation before the state legislature decides if it will order mergers based on the recommendation of the Kernan-Shepard commission.
The commission recommended that schools with fewer than 2,000 students be consolidated.
However, consolidation has been discussed several times at Taylor in recent years, especially in 2006, when the school applied for an emergency excessive tax levy, stating it would run out of money to pay teachers by fall 2007.
The corporation asked for $1.7 million and received half that amount, given over a two-year period. This year is the second and final year for the additional money.
Former superintendent Ronald Mayes, who retired in August, said the levy gave the corporation two years to solve its financial problems.
Wednesday, a newly-formed Taylor community advisory committee conducted its first meeting, charged with the job of making cost-saving recommendations to the school board.
Interim Superintendent Bob Myers said it is possible the committee will recommend consolidating with another corporation.
“This committee’s charge will be, by the time the board hires a new school superintendent ... to create a set of recommendations on the long-term solvency of the Taylor Community School Corp.” he said.
Dan Shockley, a retired Kokomo-Center school administrator who lives in the Taylor district, was selected by the committee as its chairman. He said right now, the group’s focus is on “trying to assess where we are” financially and educationally.
He said there has been no discussion of consolidation at this point.
Myers said the board will look at the corporation’s staffing, finances and other information going back to 1991, the last time Taylor was under state control.
He said if the board decides to consolidate, it would have to find another school corporation willing to merge. Myers said he does not know of any recent discussion, official or unofficial, with other districts about merging.
Local News
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
Taylor no stranger to consolidation talks
Committee currently studying future of troubled corporation
- Local News
-
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
-
Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine
A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.
-
Board: discipline for accused doctor not strict enough
The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.
-
City to end agreement with Novia
City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.
-
Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement
The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.
That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Jail full of females
In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.
-
Eastern set for wind turbine meeting
GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.
-
Chamber cancels cook-off
After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.
-
Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee
PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.
-
Students petition to keep daycare at IUK
A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
