Giving Compass' Take:

· Two Indiana school districts face some of the same issues, but are treated differently. Chalkbeat talks with civic leaders who say that Gary, a majority-black district, and Muncie, a predominately white district, are treated differently based on race. 

· The two school districts have similar setbacks, but legislative leaders state they are in very different financial situations. How do the financials of each district affect the possible outcomes?

· Learn more about how race interacts with universities. 

As lawmakers prepare to extend control over two public school districts, some civic leaders are questioning the disparate treatment of Gary, a majority-black district, and Muncie, a predominantly white one.

A House bill is expected to speed through Indiana’s special legislative session on Monday, having received support from Republicans, who make up supermajorities in both chambers. Under the bill, Gary would remain under the control of an emergency manager, while Muncie will be overseen by Ball State University and be eligible for loans. Muncie’s elected school board will be replaced by an appointed one, and Gary’s board will be demoted to an advisory body.

Dwight Gardner, a pastor from Trinity Baptist Church in Gary, said the different treatment sets up a double standard that awards Muncie opportunities denied in Gary. Gardner was one of several Gary residents who traveled to Indianapolis earlier this week to give testimony to the legislative council, a group of legislative leaders who met to make recommendations about the bills for the special session.

Republican legislative leaders pointed out that there are major differences between the financial situations in Gary and Muncie. That, they said, is the reason for the differences in plans for the two districts. Gary’s financial situation is more severe and longstanding, and its facilities are in worse condition than in Muncie.

Read the full article about the takeover of two Indiana school districts by Shaina Cavazos at Chalkbeat.