Union Schools to Remain Open for Upcoming School Year

The school district was looking at closing due to a certain part written in a property tax overhaul bill passed by Indiana lawmakers this session.

MODOC, Ind. — Union Schools are now expected to stay open for the upcoming school year and possibly after.

The district faced closure due to a property tax overhaul bill passed by state lawmakers during the recent legislative session. The bill included a last-minute amendment written so that the district couldn’t take on new financial obligations starting July 1, therefore, preventing any new contracts for any staff members.

However, a recent court battle went the school’s way. In the ruling Friday, the judge interpreted the law as saying it would not prevent the district from giving out new contracts for the upcoming school year.

Union Schools filed a lawsuit in May against the state government, Gov. Mike Braun and Education Secretary Katie Jenner, claiming that Senate Enrolled Act 1 is unconstitutional.

The community has rallied together in support of the school by wearing “Union Strong” T-shirts. Union School Corporation Superintendent Galen Mast said the support from the community has been key in their fight against the legislation.

“Pressure on coal causes diamonds, and so that’s what’s happened with our community,” Mast told WISH-TV. “It has brought people together.”

A closure of the school would be devastating to the area, according to Mast.

“It would close down our communities because when you have a school, you have businesses,” he added.

The fight isn’t over either. Mast said he doesn’t want to see something like this end up happening to other Indiana communities.

“If this is something that is allowed to be done, we think it’s us next year but it could be 40 schools next year,” said Mast.

The Modoc-based district serves about 300 students in person from Union Township in Randolph County and Stoney Creek Township in Henry County The district also educates nearly 9,000 students online through a partnership with the Indiana Digital Learning School.

It’s been 50 years since Indiana has dissolved a public school district.

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