GARY — Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson announced that Gary will partner with the National League of Cities (NLC) and the U.S. Department of Education to hold a “community conversation” to discuss strategies to advance learning, enhance student engagement and improve schools. Unveiled today at NLC’s Congressional City Conference in Washington, a “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) was signed between NLC and the Dept. of Education that outlines three goals for cities to focus on: early childhood education, afterschool and postsecondary attainment.

The City of Gary will host a community conversation about creating a network of support for the K-12 educational system in the city of Gary. This will include afterschool programs, mentoring programs, summer programs and all other efforts contemplated to enhance a student’s ability to do well in school.  This work will be an extension of the discussion initiated by the Educational Committee of the New Day Task Force prior to Freeman-Wilson taking office.  The Committee is chaired by Urban League President and CEO Dr. Vanessa Allen and NIPSCO Corporate Citizenship & Employee Involvement Officer Eddie Melton. Both organizations will be partners in facilitating the Community Conversation.