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Portage board adopts resolution opposing bill 11 36, urges stakeholder analysis
Summary
The Portage Township School Board unanimously adopted Resolution R01-2025 opposing bill 11 36, asserting the proposal threatens local control and calling on the Indiana General Assembly to conduct a comprehensive analysis and stakeholder engagement.
The Portage Township School Board voted to adopt Resolution R01-2025 in response to bill 11 36, which would change how some school corporations are organized across Indiana. The resolution, read and approved at the meeting, affirms the board’s support for local control, urges a thorough analysis of the bill’s potential effects on funding and governance, and calls for broad stakeholder engagement before further action.
Trustees voiced strong concerns about the legislation during debate. One trustee described the proposal as "frightening," saying the bill could remove public school boards and convert affected districts into charter-operated schools, which the trustee said would eliminate local governance. Another trustee noted that, under the bill as they understand it, several districts could qualify for reorganization and that the number of affected districts could grow.
The resolution authorizes district leadership to engage with state legislators and to submit the board’s concerns to the Indiana General Assembly and the governor. The board voted on the resolution by roll call; all present voted yes and the resolution was adopted.
The board identified Representative Jack Jake Teshka by name in discussion as a sponsor attempting to move related legislation toward law and encouraged community members to contact their state representatives.
The board said it plans outreach and possibly representation at a State House event in February to make its position known.
