Plan for Ball State to govern Muncie schools advances in Indiana House

MUNCIE —  The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday OK'd a bill allowing Ball State University to appoint members of the Muncie Community School Board, among other provisions.

The Republican-sponsored school financial-management bill, House Bill 1315, which passed 16-7, next goes to the House floor, where it will be considered by all members and is subject to amendments.

For now, the proposed law calls for Ball State's board of trustees to appoint five members to the Muncie school board nominated by BSU President Geoffrey S. Mearns.

Two other members of the new, seven-member board would be appointed by Mearns from a list of three individuals nominated by Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler and from a list of three individuals nominated by Muncie City Council.

An earlier version of the amendment called for the mayor and city council to each have one direct appointment on the seven-member board.

The Muncie school board is currently a five-member elected body.