Senate panel hears bill to replace South Bend elected school board with appointed governing body amid broad opposition

Sen. Linda Rogers, sponsor of Senate Bill 248, told the Senate Education and Career Development Committee that the measure would replace the elected South Bend Community School Corporation board with an appointed governing body selected from local nominating commissions and finalized by the state secretary of education. She said the change was aimed at addressing declining enrollment, underused buildings, financial instability and chronic absenteeism in the district.

Why it matters: The bill would remove South Bend voters’ ability to elect their school board and vest appointment authority in a process that includes a nominating commission and an appointment by the state secretary of education. Rogers said the measure is intended to accelerate reforms she described as necessary to improve outcomes for South Bend students.

Rogers urged colleagues to "be part of the solution in helping to turn South Bend schools around," and said she intends to refine the legislation before it is recommitted to tax and fiscal. In her…