[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6056980,"mediaKeyId","3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818","parentId",3308064,"title","Elkhart administration presents preliminary policy revisions on background checks, substitute pay, suicide training and athletics physicals","audioSeconds",133,"startMs",3091000,"endMs",3224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818&start=3091&end=3224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818/thumbnail_3091000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056980/Indiana/Elkhart-administration-presents-preliminary-policy-revisions-on-background-checks-substitute-pay-suicide-training-and-athletics-physicals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056980-73f1a8c5e009596a3d561b4287756422/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922202&Signature=SxnfgzpsAf6hoiGGrsv8x6RzUMUzjqmkUO6owmb31sKJVaCDBtW10tuui-dilBKTd3fLMceOcsR4oTBz89hji8sPCmqBY1g3u~JhEbTmOT~zA1sD99dhw~1fkV-1I-QFSdUk4Zw7teKC3rPosnQgbSnzbcsgOyfUn5pZ~fWLmGhJBmahVLggQ7siQd8ZAm3eh0LDFnpbjAMdaTsKdpi93iAHuMO~Z3hultR2HsEQUyV5iun396C0H16X~qZY4IoiFn0fIEAbWlyXVnuwS1hcU~Ffnbrjc7Q7qEXYmjXQbCntuy2EmWiPOWVuURi3G8IELco~5u~SDg8ff1MiV98uRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T12:17:59Z","article","The administration presented multiple proposed policy and administrative guideline revisions for preliminary consideration; none were finalized and each will return to the board for further review.

Why it matters: These proposed changes touch hiring and personnel oversight, substitute pay and incentives, required employee training on student suicide awareness, and procedures for secondary-school athletic physicals — all of which affect staff operations and student services.

Proposals presented (preliminary consideration only):

- Administrative Guideline 3121ACs — Background and reference checks: Administration described procedures for background and reference checks for new hires and scheduled background checks for current employees. “Those are done every 5 years for employees,” the presenter said; the guideline was presented for review and will return on May 27 for further consideration.

- Board Policy 3141.01A — Suspension and dismissal of professional staff members: The proposed revision would remove policy language requiring notification by a specified date about nonrenewal or reassignment of an administrator’s contract; the presenter said the language is not required under Indiana law and recommended rescission of that clause.

- Board Policy 3410.04CS — Substitute compensation: Proposed changes (effective 07/01/2025) increase pay to $120 per day for substitutes holding a substitute permit from the Indiana Department of Education and $160 per day for certified teachers serving as substitutes. Incentives were proposed: $300 additional compensation for substitutes working 25–49 days in a semester and $600 for more than 50 days. The proposal would eliminate a premium rate previously paid to retired certified substitutes.

- Board Policy 5350 — Student suicide awareness and prevention: Administration presented a draft policy intended to comply with Indiana Code 20-26-5-34.4 and outlined required training elements for district employees; the presenter said all district employees participated in required training last fall. The policy was presented for preliminary consideration.

- Administrative Guidelines 5600B — Guidelines for secondary school athletics: Proposed revisions primarily address the nature of physicals required for student-athletes; the guidelines were presented for preliminary review.

Next steps: All items were presented for preliminary consideration and will return to the board for further discussion; the administration invited suggestions or revisions in advance of the May 27 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 5/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","The administration presented several policy and administrative guideline revisions for preliminary consideration, including five-year background check cycles, changes to substitute compensation effective July 1, 2025, a student suicide awareness policy to comply with Indiana code 20-26-5-34.4, and updated athletic physical requirements.","taxTitle","Elkhart Community Schools, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",13078,"location","Indiana","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6056984,"Elkhart schools warned could run out of cash in 2026 after $10.4 million drawdown; S&P assigns A rating with negative outlook",57,3352000,3409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818&start=3352&end=3409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818/thumbnail_3352000.jpg","/articles/6056984/Indiana/Elkhart-schools-warned-could-run-out-of-cash-in-2026-after-104-million-drawdown-SP-assigns-A-rating-with-negative-outlook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056984-f4c887401c1b35fc581e7d4c082ff59b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922202&Signature=G8Y5KeefbBL5S03so4Jh-t7rinj6XZJM9fhoHlx2kpprgMI-FcHuLXjsna2oUXME7mkDkCmnvAVM8jpcVWdC-eYE4-6TF1BEEvUXBZ~lidgBFZC9xvRC8pWvaqQa8UrUnzpdoZ6U18Dn18vDhYt91BoebsgK-F2cli~Ep1nWSubBREMLe5G7r51V-ZZ-DVJeNPCu1~N1VrC4Rm1Q7SGauXGVY3NUo1gtCR65-TyRT5ExMBVOfTX4y-TJboHVxAqOMPYtWrfrMxmkGXfow0cNuIwvk12cd5r0nkJ7d~DYDEz0mVR4F1W4qzPa1-eOfvvJXWG-Gvk77HiL2r5e~cEJAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Zach (staff member) told the Elkhart Community Schools board that S&P Global Ratings assigned the district an A rating with a negative outlook for its 2025 bonds and warned the district is on an unsustainable fiscal path.

Why it matters: A lower or downgraded bond rating would raise borrowing costs for the district and reduce funds available for classroom and facilities spending. District leaders said corrective actions are needed now to protect finances and credit.

Key figures and claims presented at the meeting:

- “We have spent $10,400,000 more than we brought in in revenue,” Zach said, attributing the shortfall to recent spending patterns.

- The administration’s projection, prepared with Policy Analytics, shows the district could be out of money sometime in 2026 if current spending continues.

- Since fall 2019, enrollment has declined by about 12 percent while certified staff counts have stayed “at 800 plus,” lowering student-to-teacher ratios from about 18:1 to 14:1; staff costs associated with that shift were described as materially higher.

- The district has transferred just under $5 million into its food-service fund since 2018–19; the administration said the program should be self-sustaining and is exploring a food-service management company.

- The district said one driver of past budget flexibility was federal COVID-era ESSER funds and a now-lapsed local referendum; those revenue sources have rolled off.

What the district is considering and why: Administration identified immediate actions and structural changes to extend the district’s cash runway, including exploring external management for food service, right-sizing staffing, tightening contracts, and other systematic changes. Officials said some measures already are underway and emphasized the need to act quickly to avoid a downgrade.

Potential impacts of a downgrade: Board members asked how a rating drop would affect operations. Zach said a downgrade would raise borrowing costs and “certainly in the millions” could increase debt service costs depending on bond size; that would reduce funds available for classrooms and facilities.

Quotes from the meeting emphasized urgency: “The need for change is real. The need for change is important, and it's imminent. We have to act now,” Zach said. Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the district has begun internal measures and said additional, targeted actions will be needed.

Unresolved questions and next steps: The administration said it will present more detailed proposals and data in follow-up meetings. No formal budget cuts or personnel actions were voted on during this session; the board discussed personnel changes elsewhere on the agenda as part of cost-control planning.","District staff told the board S&P Global Ratings assigned an A rating with a negative outlook and warned the district has spent $10.4 million more than revenues, projecting cash exhaustion in 2026 if no changes are made. Presenters outlined enrollment decline, program costs, and potential cost-saving steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6056990,"Elkhart superintendent declines proposed contract; board withdraws item for reconsideration",526,858000,1384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818&start=858&end=1384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308064-394eb3798ee5ab8cf29c87ccaa743818/thumbnail_858000.jpg","/articles/6056990/Indiana/Elkhart-superintendent-declines-proposed-contract-board-withdraws-item-for-reconsideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056990-d544581fa852e5b38564c2cc067faa3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922202&Signature=gxe06WkLwQTXMjkOSz0CKaheXLJwZnSSZyp1uyvJVxJ48~5V8GkdxrJds30uMFy6eLYaxatt7Wr5qyLj5VPYbGVBELhE9u6vnCxkUJAEscI4TtfmSGbWAarxlLZSD2KXsrtKfjXRi7IPraK~gFjbPy6lscM04UX7rDcjJiycuhottAahEk34xf5XVTAOI3S6Py2hn-Pq2r8SwcIQ48tZaMW0ZNeeBIORz7t7~h4kAQUroqb-vxmi6-0jFOwfaqCY2j4hR4f66r6sTeYu~DpaQG0TQpCNqbWKlLjKBq8UPJilBiStG3upgEii3YsJ2MaQLbjBWEDepDY~YBHTnvbAQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Hough, superintendent of Elkhart Community Schools, told the school board he will not accept the board’s proposed contract and asked the board to reconsider the offer.

The board’s president, President Scott, told the meeting the board has “unanimous support of this entire board” for Dr. Hough while noting the board would honor his request. The board then moved to remove the contract from the agenda for further consideration; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: A superintendent contract is the formal employment agreement that sets leadership expectations and compensation. Removing the contract from tonight’s agenda pauses a planned ratification and signals the board will return with revisions after they review feedback and discuss adjustments.

Details of the exchange: Dr. Hough told the public and the board, “I will not be accepting the board's, proposed contract.” He said the decision reflected timing and concerns about misinformation and emphasized his intent to remain focused on district work: “This is the greatest gift I've ever had in my life to be the superintendent of a thriving school district.” President Scott said the board had put “significant thought” into the contract and that the document was intended to reflect district priorities; he added, “We will honor that request by removing his contract this evening and for further consideration.”

Formal action: A board member moved to remove the contract from the agenda and another seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The board said it will present an amended contract in the near future after additional internal discussion.

Next steps: The board will reconvene on the revised contract at a future meeting. No amended contract language or new timeline was provided at the meeting.","Superintendent Dr. Hough told the Elkhart Community Schools board he will not accept the proposed contract. The board unanimously voted to remove the item and said it will reconsider an amended contract after further discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elkhart administration presents preliminary policy revisions on background checks, substitute pay, suicide training and athletics physicals

Elkhart schools warned could run out of cash in 2026 after $10.4 million drawdown; S&P assigns A rating with negative outlook

Elkhart superintendent declines proposed contract; board withdraws item for reconsideration