MUNCIE — Ball State University's takeover of Muncie Community Schools already has raised nearly $3 million in community support for the financially distressed district.
BSU President Geoffrey Mearns announced the Ball Brothers Foundation and the George and Frances Ball Foundation each have pledged $1 million in aid.
In addition, First Merchants Bank, Mutual Bank and Old National Bank will contribute $250,000, $250,000 and $300,000, respectively. The Kitselman and Shafer families donated another $50,000 and $100,000.
The university's board of trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday for a resolution accepting responsibility for governance of the district, which has been operated by a state-appointed emergency manager.
A state law allowing the takeover, effective July 1, was enacted this week by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb. The law will remove the "distressed" label from the school district.
Rick Hall, chairman of the board of trustees, said the school district has gone from "distressed" to "blessed."