The Gary School Board approved a nearly $3 million contract with Texas-based Proximity Learning on Thursday to provide online teachers as the Gary Community School Corp. looks to fill teaching vacancies for the upcoming school year.
The one-year agreement would provide Gary schools with 41 certified teachers for live, virtual instruction at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
While school officials emphasized they are hiring teachers, Chief Human Resources Officer Jovanka Cvitkovich noted the district would not be able to renew the contracts of many of their teachers who have been on emergency permits for multiple years.
Classes taught by a virtual instructor would have an in-person classroom facilitator to manage and assist students and troubleshoot any technology issues, according to Cvitkovich, adding that these facilitators could be teachers on emergency permits.
The board also approved Edgewater Health to establish a school-based health center inside West Side Leadership Academy.
Four members voted in favor, with Danita Johnson-Woods — who serves as president and CEO of Edgewater Health — abstaining from the vote.
The cost of the health center and an estimated completion date have yet to be determined, according to a district spokesperson.
The next Gary School Board meeting is slated for Aug 14.
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