WABASH COUNTY, Ind. – In a 6-0-1 vote, the MCS Board of School Trustees declined an invitation from the Metropolitan School District of Wabash County to discuss the benefits of sharing services, a reorganization study and possible consolidation.
“I would wait…The timing isn’t the best at the moment,” Board Secretary Dr. Nathan Trump said, noting that MSD will have several new board members starting in January.
“One of our goals for the upcoming year was our own strategic planning. At least one of the items on that letter is a pretty big subject to discuss, having not gone through our own strategic planning,” board member Brady Burgess said.
“Consolidation is not on my radar for Manchester Community Schools… I appreciate [the invitation], but without going through our strategic planning and having our own public input, no decision could possibly be made from those discussions.”
Board Vice President Sally Krouse concurred.
“I think Nate and Brady both have good reasons for Manchester to decline the invitation… it seems like bad timing,” she said.
“I would move to politely excuse ourselves from the conversation,” Burgess said.
While the board did decline by unanimous vote, with Brian Schilling abstaining, not all members were opposed to the meeting.
“There’s certain information that could be gleaned from that process,” board member Buddy Brunn said.
“I’m not sure if that opens the doors to full-blown consolidation, and I wouldn’t be in favor of something like that.”
MCS Superintendent Dr. Bill Reichhart will write a formal response declining the invitation, which will be delivered before Christmas.