Overhaul Bill Would Dissolve Union School Corporation

A small school corporation in Randolph and Henry counties is one step closer to dissolution following the Senate's approval of a plan to overhaul property taxes. The Indiana Senate approved the House's version of Senate Bill 1 early Tuesday morning in a 27-22 vote.

Republican Gov. Mike Braun said he intends to sign the bill when he receives it, according to a social media post.

Last week, the House added an amendment to the bill that would dissolve the Union School Corp. based in Modoc. It was added with no public hearing about the change.

The district outright canceled classes on Monday to allow facility, staff and families to attend the Indiana State Teachers Association's Day of Action at the Statehouse and protest against SB 1.

The school district only serves about 300 in-person students. However, according to Union Schools Superintendent Galen Mast, the district teaches "nearly 9,000 students" through a partnership with Indiana Digital Learning School.

Mast is considering pursuing legal action. In a letter to parents last week, he said the district finds this legislation unconstitutional and believes it's a backhanded attempt to close down a school that is thriving and force consolidation of other smaller schools across the state.

"We plan to be here for another seven decades," Mast wrote. "Union has been here for the community for the past 70 years."

Mast also believes the school district is being targeted because of its online platform.

Under the provision, students in the Henry County side of the district would then be a part of the Blue River Valley Schools Corporation. Students in Randolph County would attend schools in the Monroe Central School Corp.

If signed by the governor, the Union School Corp. would dissolve by July 1, 2027.

“Union School Corporation is a great place for kids and for students.  Like many other small schools, it is the center or hub of the community.  It’s the place where families meet and community is built.  Our own legislators, Scott Alexander and JD Prescott, added a last minute amendment to SB 1, knowing that this would usurp the democratic process and not allow for input or debate or defense.  This is language that would never pass had they followed the proper protocol for a bill being passed.  It’s authoritarianism, not democracy.  It’s shameful what the Republicans have done to SB 1 by taking a 26-page budget proposal and turning it into a 367-page novel overnight.  This is a loophole in the legislative process and needs to be closed.  Our legal team will be filing suit when and if Governor Braun signs SB 1 with language about Union School Corporation still in it.  Prescott is a real-estate person in our area.  We are told that he met with a local town manager back in November and informed him that he intended to turn our school into ‘an old person’s home’.  This was planned well in advance.  

“Our community is angry and outraged.  We will fight the legality of this new legislation and work to ensure that neither Prescott nor Alexander be re-elected.  Indiana is a school-choice state with open enrollment.  Hundreds of charter and private school options have been added over the past decade.  School options are not closed in Indiana. I’ve been in education for three decades and what is happening with SB 1 opens the doors for this to happen to any other school or organization in Indiana.  This is precedent-setting legislation.  Things will not be the same moving forward and all should be wary of their own well-being.  If it can happen to one, it can happen to anyone.”

Union Schools Superintendent Galen Mast