The State Board of Education approved Calumet College of St. Joseph’s charter authorization of Gary’s Thea Bowman Leadership Academy charter school on Wednesday.
The state board unanimously approved the Department of Education’s recommendation to approve the new authorizer, despite the school’s charter revocation in December by previous sponsor Education One at Trine University.
Education One, which took over as Thea Bowman’s authorizer in 2016 after Ball State University revoked Thea Bowman’s charter, cited academic and organizational deficiencies in its move to terminate the charter in December.
Confident of Wednesday’s state approval, Thea Bowman officials forged ahead with an $8 million expansion project. The groundbreaking came five days after Calumet College agreed to be its authorizer.
The move to a new authorizer required state approval, however, because of a state law designed to prevent “charter shopping” by schools.
“We are pleased with this outcome,” said Carrie Hutton, executive director of the Calumet College charter authority board.
“This will enable Calumet College of St. Joseph to expand our mission of service and education,” she said in a statement. “We celebrate this decision and the opportunities for growth at Thea Bowman. We look forward to helping the school meet their potential.”
State board member Scott Bess cautioned Calumet College officials to avoid becoming involved in the day-to-day operations of the school.
“There’s a fine line between being an authorizer and running a school,” he said.
Eve Gomez, President Drexel Foundation, (center) describes the frozen ground to participants during a groundbreaking ceremony on a $8 million addition to the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary. The addition will be a two-story eight classroom building for elementary students. There will also be a multipurpose room for athletics and arts, a health clinic, new athletic fields with a track and football field and a maintenance building. The ground was broken on Saturday, February 3, 2024. (John Smierciak/Post Tribune)
For example, he said it’s up to the school – not Calumet College – to make sure all teachers hold Indiana standard licenses. Only 60% of the school’s teachers are licensed, officials said.
“Because there’s a passion on behalf of Calumet, you just have to make sure the line is clear, so TBLA doesn’t begin to rely on Calumet to solve problems.”
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton voiced support for Thea Bowman in a letter read by Secretary of Education Katie Jenner.
Melton called Thea Bowman “a pillar of education excellence,” and cited its vigorous curriculum, and strong academic performance.
Melton said it’s critical for parents to have a choice in selecting a school.
“A thriving Thea Bowman Leadership Academy translates to a thriving Gary,” Melton said in calling Thea Bowman “a cornerstone of our education system and beacon of hope for children.”
Representatives from Calumet College and Education One spoke to the board before its vote.
Education One executive director Lindsay Omlor repeated its concerns about Thea Bowman’s governance.
Education One’s revocation stunned and worried parents about the future of the school. Thea Bowman officials didn’t know the revocation vote was even on the Education One board’s December agenda. Its attorney won an injunction in a local court to halt closing proceedings.
“This school board lacks the capacity to govern the school,” Omlor said. “I’m not here to sway your decision,” she said in explaining its process of evaluating its charters. Thea Bowman was one of 15 charters sponsored by Education One.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton addresses a representative of Calumet College of St. Joseph a during public hearing regarding Thea Bowman Leadership Academy’s charter authorization request on Jan. 25, 2024.
She said the school failed to rectify academic and organizational deficiencies and had a 40% teacher turnover last year. She said Education One placed Thea Bowman on probationary status before revoking the charter.
“They’re attempting to transfer to Calumet to avoid accountability,” said Omlor.
Hutton disagreed with many of Education One’s criticisms.
She told the board it has a campus full of experts, just 9 miles from Thea Bowman. “We have a vested interest. Their graduates are our neighbors. Their success impacts us.”
She agreed Thea Bowman’s planning and oversight didn’t meet state standards. “We’ll address it with mandating ongoing board training…”
She said academic deficiencies would be addressed with dual credit courses, internships, curriculum development and literacy tutoring through a state grant. She said there should be salary bonuses for teachers to stem the exodus and adequate supplies.
Hutton said there’s been growth in reading, math and SAT scores. She said the school’s graduation rate of 90% was better than nearby schools and she said Bowman’s chronic absenteeism rate was the lowest in Gary.
“Academic success is a priority,” Hutton said. She said Calumet College would be at the school at least twice a month or as needed.
Hutton said allowing its authorization reaffirms the local choice of parents at a school that’s at an enrollment capacity with a waitlist.
Founded in 2003 and named after a groundbreaking Black Catholic nun, Thea Bowman is home to about 850 students.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
