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Wabash City Schools board tables proposed reduction to dual-language program after debate
Summary
The Wabash City Schools board discussed a recommendation to reduce Dual Language Immersion (DLI) to grades 6-9 for 2026-27, citing recruitment difficulties. After administrators reported a teacher retracted a resignation, the board voted to table the proposal to the April 6 meeting for further planning.
The Wabash City Schools Board of Education on March 16 discussed a recommendation to reduce the district's Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programming to grades 6 through 9 for the 2026-27 school year, but voted to table the change to allow administrators time to produce a fuller plan.
Superintendent Dr. Sibi (identified in the transcript as the superintendent) said the recommendation came after the district learned a DLI Spanish teacher had decided not to return, and the district had struggled to recruit qualified replacements. Administration said it had posted the vacancy on the district website and state job sites without receiving viable U.S.-based applicants and had been working with a recruitment firm.
Board member Amanda pushed back on the proposed cut, saying the DLI program attracts out-of-district students and generates revenue for the district. Amanda told the board the DLI program has averaged a substantial share of out-of-district enrollment (she cited roughly 84 out-of-district students in recent years) and that, using an $11,000 per-pupil estimate, that represents about $88,000 in revenue. She also noted roughly $83,000 in funds from short-term and year-long exchange programs the district has received and suggested part of those funds could be used to support DLI operations or coordination.
Dr. Sibi said the recommendation was intended to preserve program quality across the grades the district could staff reliably. After the superintendent reported that the teacher in question had retracted the resignation on the preceding Friday, Dr. Sibi recommended tabling the item to allow administration to prepare a more complete plan and community notice.
The board approved a motion to table the DLI proposal until the April 6 board meeting so administrators can present details on staffing, recruitment options and potential budget offsets.
What happens next: Administration will return to the board on April 6 with a proposal that reflects staffing status, recruitment efforts, and any recommended funding or programmatic changes. The board explicitly requested clearer data on enrollment, costs and how exchange program funds are designated.
