As part of its state-approved plan to run Muncie Community Schools, Ball State University created a “Community Engagement Council” for the district.  Now, as IPR’s Zoe Dwiggins reports, the newly appointed body told school board members Tuesday night that they are ready to work.

The Community Engagement Council wants nothing more than to help Muncie Community Schools, according to chairman Cliff Johnson.  The group has several activities in the works, especially those that help the district’s students.

Several MCS schools house food pantries to serve students.  But Johnson says the council would like to start a private system to donate food to students and their families outside the school walls.

“The whole goal is helping families get food in their household, where students don’t have to worry about that.”

The council also plans to integrate a nationwide backpack project that privately gives students backpacks to use.

But they want to help more than just students and their families.  The council is also planning an appreciation luncheon for MCS teachers, administrators, and staff in January.

Johnson says the council will update the MCS board on its projects once a month.

Superintendent Start Date

During Tuesday’s school board meeting, MCS board members also discussed changing the desired start date on the superintendent job posting.  The board agreed that asking a career educator to start at a potentially new district in March, which is mid-semester, might attract fewer applicants.  The board now wants a new superintendent to start in May or June.