Grantee Spotlight: Q&A with Muncie Community Schools’ CEO & Update on the District’s Transformation

In 2018, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Ball State University embarked on a groundbreaking partnership, creating a national model for collaboration between a public university and a public school system. This innovative alliance began amidst significant challenges, as MCS faced financial crisis and declining enrollment. Since then, the district has made remarkable strides in reimagining its future with the support of Ball State, the local community, and dedicated funders like Ball Brothers Foundation.

Hear from Dr. Chuck Reynolds, the recently appointed Director of Public Education/CEO of MCS, about the district’s transformation, ongoing efforts, and vision for the years ahead.

• When you think about MCS’s evolution over the past several decades, where do you see the district now? And what are your hopes for the next 5-10 years?

  Over the past six years, we’ve worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing our district, including declining enrollment, financial instability, aging facilities, and teacher turnover. Through the Innovation and Strategic Plans, strong partnerships, and a focus on student-centered initiatives, we’ve begun to see significant progress. Enrollment is stabilizing; our financial outlook has improved; critical facility upgrades have been accomplished; and we’ve made strides in retaining and supporting our dedicated educators. While there is still work to do, I’m proud of the growth we’ve achieved and remain optimistic about the future of our schools and students.

  In the next 5 to 10 years, I see MCS thriving as a leader in innovative instructional practices, ensuring every student has access to a world-class education. We will continue focusing on continuous improvement—not only in student academics, but also in fostering a supportive environment where staff can excel and extra- and co-curricular activities can thrive. Additionally, I envision our district as a model for community partnerships, working hand-in-hand with local organizations to grow opportunities for our students and strengthen the connection between our schools and the community we serve.

• As you’ve transitioned into the Director of Education/CEO role at Muncie Community Schools, what have been your top priorities?

  My top priorities have been maintaining the positive momentum established under Dr. Kwiatkowski’s leadership while identifying areas where we can improve growth and achievement. This has included:

  • growing our pre-school offerings and resources

  • advancing early grade literacy

  • supporting teachers and leadership

  • enhancing student support systems

  • improving student attendance

  • building on our community partnerships to ensure we are meeting the needs of all learners

• As the district continues to “right-size” its facilities for current—and projected future—student populations, what investments are you most excited about?

  As we continue to right-size our facilities, I’m particularly excited about the investments we’ve made to enhance both the learning environment and the overall student experience. At the elementary level, we’ve added additional classrooms at West View, North View, and Longfellow Elementary Schools to reduce class sizes and offer additional programming like Project Lead the Way. At two of our schools previously designed as open-concept (no walls), we’ve added walls to create focused-learning classrooms, providing students and teachers with a safer environment that limits distractions and activates student engagement.

  Districtwide, we’ve incorporated flexible seating options in many classrooms, allowing us to create small learning stations, collaborative learning opportunities, and alternative seating for students who benefit from movement. These changes foster creativity, collaboration, and adaptability, ensuring that our classrooms meet the needs of all learners.

  The renovations at Muncie Central have also been transformative. The updates to the Muncie Fieldhouse and the complete renovation of Bearcat Stadium are projects that were long overdue. The new turf field and seating area have already hosted an impressive range of activities, including marching band rehearsals, a 24-band marching band contest, youth and middle school football, boys’ and girls’ soccer, track meets, and community events—all in its first year.

  In addition, the old planetarium has been converted into a modern eSports facility that allows our new team to compete with other schools all over the state. These upgrades not only enhance the student experience but also strengthen the bond between our schools and the broader community.

• BBF has provided seed funding to pilot a Montessori program within the district. Can you share more about the plans for the program?

  Over the last few years, MCS has been developing another niche educational opportunity for our families: a Montessori education program. Thanks to the seed funding provided by Ball Brothers Foundation, we are still moving forward with plans to pilot this innovative program, designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of our community in the coming years.

  The Montessori program will offer an early elementary experience that emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and the development of critical thinking skills. A key feature of this program will be its integration with the outdoor learning resources at Camp Adventure. By leveraging this unique setting, students will have the opportunity to engage with nature and participate in immersive, outdoor learning experiences that align with the Montessori philosophy of fostering curiosity and independence.

• Schools across the country continue to face challenges with student engagement and attendance. Can you share more about how extracurricular participation factors into addressing these challenges and about what MCS is doing to bolster extracurriculars?

  Research has consistently shown that students who are engaged in extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, and co-curricular programs like band, choir, and yearbook have better attendance rates, higher grades, and fewer disciplinary issues compared to their peers who are not involved. At Muncie Community Schools, our data team has provided clear evidence that supports this research within our district, reinforcing the critical role these opportunities play in student success.

  We’ve been intentional about expanding our offerings. In recent years, we’ve added new programs and teams, including robotics, eSports, girls wrestling, and media production through Titan TV. By broadening opportunities, we are providing more ways for students to connect, develop skills, and take pride in their school experience.

• On a related note, athletics are important to the culture and vibrancy of all schools. What promising work is being done to continue to build on MCS’ legacy of athletics?

  MCS has a proud history of athletic excellence, once earning Muncie the nickname "City of Champions." Our schools have long been a source of pride for the community, fostering a legacy of success both on and off the field. While we recognize that our athletic programs are not performing at the same level as in the past, we are committed to revitalizing that vibrancy and success.

  In recent years, we have taken significant steps to invest in and enhance our athletic programs. A key achievement has been the completion of large-scale renovation projects at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse and the stadium on the Muncie Central campus. These improvements provide our student-athletes with a facility they deserve and one that honors our tradition.

  In addition, we are thrilled to partner with the YMCA to expand opportunities for our students. This partnership will give our students access to a tremendous facility that includes a brand-new competitive swimming pool.

  To ensure a cohesive and strategic approach to athletics, we are introducing the "Bearcat Way," a framework aimed at aligning athletic programming from elementary through high school. This initiative focuses on building foundational athletic skills and developing specific plans and strategies consistently across all levels. By starting with our youngest athletes and maintaining alignment through middle and high school, we aim to cultivate a pipeline of talent and foster a culture of excellence.

• There’s a lot of talk at the state level about career and technical training. MCS operates our area’s career center, serving multiple districts across the county and region. What programs at the MACC do you see a growing number of students gravitating towards? Are there new programs in the pipeline?

  The MACC continues to be a hub of opportunity, serving students from multiple districts across our county and region. We are proud to see growing interest and enrollment in several of our programs that align with current workforce needs and student passions.

  Among our most popular programs, the construction, welding, and public safety tracks are experiencing notable growth. These programs provide hands-on training and practical experience, preparing students for high-demand careers in these essential industries. Additionally, our nursing and dental hygienist programs consistently operate at capacity, reflecting the strong demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare field.

  Looking at emerging opportunities, we have recently introduced an automated manufacturing class. This program is designed to equip students with the skills needed for advanced manufacturing, a sector that continues to grow in our region. As we prepare for the future, we are investigating additional opportunities in the healthcare field, aiming to grow our offerings and provide students with pathways into high-need, high-wage, and rewarding careers.

• The district’s Dual Language program at Westview Elementary continues to grow its reputation. Can you share more about how this program is helping to offer a competitive education to students and helping the district stand out?

  Our Dual Language (DL) program has become a hallmark of excellence within MCS, offering students a truly competitive and unique educational opportunity. Since its inception with one kindergarten class at West View Elementary, the program has grown steadily, and its original cohort is now thriving in 7th grade. This continued success is a testament to the program’s quality and impact.

  The DL program provides students with an immersive experience in the Spanish language and culture. By integrating language learning into their daily curriculum, students gain fluency in Spanish while also developing a deeper understanding of and appreciation for diverse cultures. Students will have 50 to 80% of their day speaking and learning in Spanish. This bilingual and bicultural approach not only enhances academic performance but also equips students with critical skills for an increasingly globalized world.

  Programs like this are rare across the state, making our DL program a standout feature of our district. It exemplifies our commitment to innovative and inclusive education, helping MCS to attract families seeking exceptional opportunities for their children.

• As you reflect on the district’s work to reinvent itself, how will your team be reaching out to the community to discuss progress and gather feedback as you look to the future?

  It is hard to believe that we are already five years into our Innovation and Strategic Plans. Over this time, MCS has made significant progress in improving the educational opportunities for our students and families. While we are proud of the strides we’ve made, we recognize that there is still important work ahead as we continue to improve our schools. We have worked to keep our families and community members informed of our progress through bi-monthly school board meetings, the posting of our annual reports on our website, coffee chat sessions, and a State of the School presentation last spring.   

  To ensure our plans reflect the values and expectations of our community, we are committed to maintaining an open dialogue. This winter, we will begin this process by sharing a short survey to gather initial feedback. Building on this, we will conduct another round of "Listen + Learn" sessions later this spring.

  These in-person meetings will provide an opportunity for community members to share their perspectives, ask questions, and offer suggestions as we evaluate our five pillars and explore new ideas for innovation. The input gathered through these efforts will play a critical role in shaping the next phase of our journey.