Fort Wayne schools battling student exodus

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) -- The state's largest school district is taking steps to ward off competition from private and charter schools that officials say are siphoning off students -- and the state money they bring.

Fort Wayne schools lost 392 students last year to the state's school voucher program, the most in the state. That's despite the district's overall A rating from the state Department of Education. It also faces competition from charter schools that have an increased presence in the city.

Each student who leaves costs the district money -- Fort Wayne Community Schools lost more than $2.6 million in state aid last year.

The Journal Gazette reports that's forced the district, which surpassed Indianapolis Public Schools as the state's largest this year, to focus on money issues as it tries to ensure that Fort Wayne Community Schools is offering what parents and students want.

"We have an excellent public school system," said school board member John Peirce, who accused charters and private schools of "cherry picking" students and sending difficult students back to public schools. "We educate all kids to high standards."

The Indiana voucher program, passed by the Legislature in 2011, is the biggest test yet of an idea sought for years by conservative Republicans, who say it offers families more choices and gives public schools greater incentive to improve.

But school officials have worried about the potential loss of thousands of students, especially those from the middle class, and the state money that comes with them.

Unlike voucher programs in other states that are limited to poor families and failing school districts, the Indiana subsidies are open to a much broader range of people, including parents with a household income up to nearly $64,000 for a family of four. The median income for an Indiana family of four was just over $67,000 in 2010, making many of the state's nearly 1 million public school students eligible for vouchers.

Fort Wayne officials say the state's push to open charter schools and provide vouchers sends an unflattering message about public schools.

"We're in a state that I think is of the belief that public schools are not very good and the strategy is, I think, to put us out of business," board member Steve Corona said.

"The state is supporting charters in a way they're not supporting us," added Superintendent Wendy Robinson.

Robinson said the district's plan for dealing with the competition will focus on five schools that face the most competition. The district hopes to develop ways to improve communication with parents and offerings at those schools. She said the district also will look at school boundaries.

The district plans to send out a parent survey before its Nov. 3 choice fair. That event that showcases the different magnet and other program offerings in its schools.

The district is also looking outside the state for funding support. It recently won a two-year, $15.3 million federal grant for teacher training and incentives. It is also finishing up a Race to the Top-District grant that could provide up to $40 million to expand technology and other programs for students

Information from: The Journal Gazette