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Portage board affirms 2026–27 school reconfiguration; parent urges review of redistricting process
Summary
The board approved a district-wide reconfiguration for 2026–27 that decommissions Hailsworth Elementary, shifts elementary buildings to K–4, and adjusts middle/intermediate grade assignments. A parent later told trustees she faced delayed notice and administrative roadblocks in seeking a transfer for her child.
The Portage Township School Board voted to affirm a sweeping reconfiguration plan for the 2026–27 school year, including the decommissioning and planned demolition of Hailsworth Elementary and a grade reshuffle across multiple buildings.
Under the approved configuration, seven remaining elementary schools—Central, Chrisman, Jones, Kyle, Meyer, Sailor and South David—will serve kindergarten through fourth grade. Fagley Middle School will be converted to Fagley Intermediate serving grades five and six, and Willow Creek Middle School will serve grades seven and eight.
Board members discussed the operational implications and approved related budget and fund reallocations tied to the reconfiguration, including reallocation of extracurricular activity (ECA) accounts for Ellsworth, Fagley and Willow Creek per State Board of Accounts guidance. Staff said the ECA transfers follow state accounting rules and will be handled to align with each school’s reconfiguration or decommissioning schedule.
During public comment, Portage resident Emily Abuatier urged trustees to review what she described as inequities in the redistricting process. Abuatier said her 8-year-old son, Judah, is being moved from Kyle Elementary to Sailor Elementary and that families received formal notice in mid-March despite earlier promises of timelier communication. She cited Indiana Department of Education metrics she says show achievement differences between the two buildings, expressed concern about increased transitions for students under the new plan, and said she met administrative roadblocks when seeking an intra-district transfer. She provided documentation to the district attorney for review and asked the board to reconsider grandfathering that she described as favoring voluntary transfers.
District staff acknowledged Abuatier’s concerns and the superintendent was asked to follow up directly with the family. Trustees approved the reconfiguration by roll call during the same meeting.
