Court Rules Union School Corporation Closure Unlawful

The ruling prevents the mandated shutdown of the district, protecting access for 9,300 in-person and online students.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Homeschooling

Court Rules Union School Corporation Closure Unlawful

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Should local school districts have more power to reject state-mandated closure decisions?

A court has ruled that a state law requiring the closure of the Union School Corporation is unconstitutional. The decision secures the future for the district, which provides education to 300 in-person and 9,000 online students.

Why it matters

The ruling resolves uncertainty for thousands of families who rely on the district for their children's education. The legal challenge followed a 2025 state legislative move to dissolve the district for its focus on online curriculum.

The district serves 300 in-person students and 9,000 online students across the region. Judge Olivia S. Faddis issued the ruling on October 23, 2026, following a 12-minute hearing.

The players

Union School Corporation

A school district serving 300 in-person and 9,000 online students in Randolph and Henry counties.

Olivia S. Faddis

The judge who presided over the case in the Randolph Superior Court.

The details

The district challenged Senate Enrolled Act 1, which the Indiana General Assembly passed in 2025 with the intent to dissolve the corporation. The court found that the legislative requirement to shut down by July 1, 2027, was unconstitutional. This summary judgment prevents the state from forcing the closure of the school system, allowing operations to continue for both its in-person and online populations.

2025: Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 1.
May 30, 2025: District filed a lawsuit against the state.
October 23, 2026: Judge issued the summary judgment.
July 1, 2027: Original mandated closure date for the district.

The Home Front

This decision marks a significant legal pushback against state-level efforts to regulate or dissolve districts based on their use of online curriculum models. It provides a stable precedent for families relying on non-traditional schooling formats in Indiana.

Families currently enrolled in the Union School Corporation should continue their planned curriculum without interruption. If you utilize the district's online services, keep your account information and registration records accessible should any administrative verification be required.

The takeaway

The court ruling ensures that students enrolled in the Union School Corporation can proceed with their studies as planned. Families should monitor any future updates from the district regarding the state's potential legal response.