Attend any public meeting for the Gary Community School Corporation and at least one question will be posed about the district’s finances. Residents have wanted more clarity on how and where money is spent for years, which has only been heightened by repeated school closures and the ongoing consideration of closing two middle schools.
Capital B Gary broke down each section of the district’s newly proposed $74 million budget for the upcoming year, an increase from this year’s $71 million budget. Next year’s budget still awaits state certification, so this figure could decrease, much like it did for 2023’s budget, which was originally proposed at $82 million.
The budget consists of four funds: education, operations, referendum, and debt service. Each fund targets different areas. For example, the education fund covers classroom and learning expenses, while the debt service fund repays borrowed money.
Though nearly half of the available money goes toward compensating staff, there are some key differences across both years’ budgets, especially when it comes to the education fund.
Next year, the education fund will receive $32.5 million, a 13% decrease from this year’s $37.4 million. Notably, the budget will allocate less money to staff salaries and wages for preventative remediation, which identifies and helps students at risk of underperforming academically.
In 2024, $318,511 will be allocated for these efforts, which is $55,000 less than this year. This reduction could impact students, especially following last week’s revelation that thousands of students across the state have advanced to fourth grade without fundamental reading skills.
Another area impacted by the budget decrease is the funding for staff supporting students with mental, emotional, and learning disabilities. Next year, $1.4 million will be designated for these roles, a 22% decrease from this year’s $1.9 million.
Less money will also go toward supplies for every school in the district, with elementary and middle schools receiving $5,000 each this year and West Side Leadership Academy receiving $10,000. Next year, elementary and middle schools will get $3,885, and $7,769 will go to West Side.
Other Notable 2024 Expenditures:
- $5.5 million for the maintenance of buildings
- $4.1 million for student transportation
- $3.5 million for school improvement fund
- $910,000 for security services
- $500,000 for legal services
- $356,597 for summer school
- $38,885 for curricular materials
- $34,961 for supplies for the district’s arts and technology programs
- $34,961 for supplies for West Side’s theatre and music programs
- $34,961 for supplies for West Side’s athletic programs
- $17,092 for staff education and training
The district’s 2024 operations fund, covering central office salaries, building and grounds maintenance, student transportation, and security, would have a budget of $19.5 million, identical to the amount that was proposed this year.
Next year’s budget also earmarks $550,000 each for extracurricular activities, athletics, and safety across the district. That’s a $50,000 increase per category from this year, courtesy of the referendum fund approved by Gary residents in 2020.
Around $13 million will be distributed between schools in the district next year, down from $17 million they shared this year. Below is a breakdown of the amount each school is receiving and how that compares to 2023.
Note: Bethune Early Childhood Development Center is not included in the above graph.
Maddy Franklin covers Youth and Education at Capital B Gary. Contact Maddy at Madison.Franklin@capitalbnews.org
This story has been updated to correct a chart showing money going to individual schools in Gary, Indiana.