Mishawaka schools ponder merger with Penn-Harris-Madison or South Bend

In the midst of Mishawaka's attempts to raise $28 million by way of a voter referendum this fall, more than one person publicly suggested the cashed-strapped district should consider consolidating with a neighboring school corporation.

Now, on the heels of the referendum's failure, school officials in Mishawaka, which enrolls about 5,000 students, are left wondering how they'll pay to repair or replace leaking roofs, crumbling terra cotta and old boilers, to name just a few of the district's facilities needs.

Superintendent Terry Barker said Friday school board members will discuss possible solutions, including consolidation, at their meeting on Thursday.