[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6224302,"mediaKeyId","3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7","parentId",3551321,"title","Board honors longtime teacher who started Colorado field trip and recognizes Elkhart High School rocket teams that reached nationals","audioSeconds",714,"startMs",1202000,"endMs",1916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7&start=1202&end=1916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6224302/Indiana/Board-honors-longtime-teacher-who-started-Colorado-field-trip-and-recognizes-Elkhart-High-School-rocket-teams-that-reached-nationals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224302-f0c6fcd63422556bfd4391cc4baa383e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436689&Signature=WjSnBKLN4mFfIzAhgiV3~J03lnf-m-QzrB3AqJ~3aLIy85gUE8fjNedQwhQaF0x0Mqkv2aKvXwRn7wjCvzQsDkrwMsyihXzzeWz7nPyhlm53GVAo0VApAkpyNIGMB~HH0otihCiO05D93M~7diLC5DZ5Ds6vq~KSt9MHR-l3SF3wYrD0WV6tHmTF5FfFx0KUevLbzT~ig7gEZosvTEmA1ZZ935hkutK0RJknV-H5W753wfQIP0W26YtdIGtNivBPJ48zXwejp9Be32UIkHhWfa9g3Z4uKgDodKsU7JjoHSPBWx2lhm1XwYO3whxhfMssBZafGC3LlSCYuAZzVeNf1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-28T17:08:44.563Z","article","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees recognized two community achievements May 27: a longtime teacher and the Elkhart High School rocketry teams that qualified for nationals.

The board honored Richard Golden, an Elkhart High School alumnus and former science teacher, for launching a geology field-trip program to Colorado that has continued for roughly 46–47 years. Golden told the board he began the program after conducting overnight backpacking trips with a scout troop and later worked with a colleague to formalize the school proposal; he said the trip gave students opportunities to see geology and national parks firsthand and that he estimates he took roughly 2,000 students over the program’s run.

The board also heard from students who represented Elkhart High School at the American Rocketry Challenge nationals. Natalie Middleton, a senior, said her team’s goal was 815 feet and a target flight time of 41–44 seconds; she said their rocket flew and came down in 43 seconds and that the team placed 62nd of 100. Olivia Eversol, also a senior, described the trip to Virginia for the finals and the range of activities including rocket-building challenges, presentations and demonstrations. The students credited parents, teachers, sponsors and mentors for support and thanked the district for recognition.

Board members praised both Golden and the student teams at the meeting and encouraged continued mentorship of future students. No formal action beyond recognition was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 5/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized Richard Golden for founding a longstanding Colorado geology trip and honored Elkhart High School rocketry teams that qualified for the American Rocketry Challenge nationals; students described their national competition experience and results.","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},6224307,"Board approves background-check guidelines, updates to personnel and substitute policies and student suicide prevention policy",161,3099000,3260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7&start=3099&end=3260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7/thumbnail_3099000.jpg","/articles/6224307/Indiana/Board-approves-background-check-guidelines-updates-to-personnel-and-substitute-policies-and-student-suicide-prevention-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224307-4e13400502364ccb8aaf4a75625ed743/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436689&Signature=A0NE7FFEnE8QRIAxZFKmgyx09owoX6xvMHpTW843vCjQt1OdMv~nyrTPnWVvgfpHCbm5BGm4nPv6MsoTD7-u49ZszVCmQBGYLFdaQCOZN59Smg2cLc58IzB9Ua4KRca3~0LZa4gcmLCWMIxm9MpEzJ0Ny8TfC4RoBwuDWrVI3fBpjRAmq99kgF7JeR0UXxpzGvTP~sZRfeTd83~qzh5mu54-lI1Al2B1brCZTokc7l8um-Y9jcfySjbh4q1rDpyckaYr~U5IaA47IB7etRB~UIKFnk8jM3YX1mMM0XjaYqCoMmtWOXLFvzAr~EPgHQtOk3-GPb9bygG9BCyawVK8lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elkhart Community Schools trustees approved several policy and administrative guideline updates May 27 covering personnel screening, employment-contract notice requirements, substitute compensation and suicide-prevention training.

The administration presented an administrative guideline that formalizes background and reference check procedures for new hires and schedules rolling background checks for current employees every five years. Presenters emphasized this is an administrative guideline and does not require a formal board vote; it was advanced for board review.

The board also approved proposed revisions to policy 31-41.01 A (suspension and dismissal of professional staff members). The revision removes a board-imposed requirement to provide notice by a specific date for nonrenewal or reassignment except for assistant superintendents, principals and assistant principals—officials said the change aligns the policy with legal requirements.

Trustees approved a compensation overhaul for substitutes (policy 3,410.04 CS) that takes effect July 1, 2025: it raises the daily rate for substitutes with a permission from the United Department of Education to $120 per day and raises the rate for certified teachers working as substitutes to $160 per day. The revision also adds semester incentives ($300 for 25–49 days; $600 for more than 50 days) and clarifies incentives for substitute nurses; it eliminates a premium rate previously paid to retired substitute teachers, which the administration said was no longer sustainable.

Finally, the board approved a student suicide awareness and prevention policy to bring the district into compliance with Indiana Code section 20-26-5-34.4; presenters said district employees already participated in required training the prior fall, and the policy sets out training obligations in detail.

All recorded votes on formal policy actions passed unanimously. Administrators said the background-check guideline, being administrative, will be implemented by HR on a rolling five-year schedule.","Trustees reviewed and approved multiple administrative guidelines and policy revisions including rolling background checks, changes to suspension/dismissal notice requirements, a revised substitute compensation schedule effective July 1, 2025, and a student suicide awareness and prevention policy to comply with Indiana law.",{"_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},6224312,"Board transfers referendum fund to operations and hears cash-balance update",180,3442000,3622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7&start=3442&end=3622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7/thumbnail_3442000.jpg","/articles/6224312/Indiana/Board-transfers-referendum-fund-to-operations-and-hears-cash-balance-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224312-3a013600d08864a1f686bb168acb751d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436689&Signature=HhOnkax0T3aCmHP6QlKQCLoSyyVayLN1i1q72z~jDvzoI8KtkZm7oEWcEihJfWMfvBdvFP0ymHyWqCeCRZ4~Gtw8ih0iKMDJ54bl7I4gjl4bWHTQuRyIxRzXMgAt2MNsbYzS7Ua7WrHD06Z4C0cgrujXsN7kICyO4APCmuMGRypiRgqBvdjqQAv7ktcHUkDB-JWQQ48cHXYu9pxmwzUCvE1tY92qHslDkcPMdBTJNivfCNEq9imMaKJM6~zD5SzuRgyV6bThDcVck8iW0JFANJDNTpr6f5x3yubRVtZhtAlTTXTHBsUzuRFbAu-nhJdWy-Wi5oGFLQQh4uHDMJqTsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees approved a resolution May 27 to transfer amounts held in the operating referendum tax levy fund into the district’s operations fund, a procedural consolidation the administration described as permissible under Indiana law.

Administrators said the operating referendum fund currently holds approximately $3.5 million and no longer has a revenue source because the referendum has not been renewed in recent years. The transfer is intended as an accounting housecleaning measure and will not change the district’s overall cash balance, officials said.

In a financial update presented at the same meeting, the district reported a consolidated cash balance equal to about 5% of expenditures, below the state-prudential range cited in the presentation of roughly 10%–15%. The presentation noted the district expects local property tax receipts in June of roughly $13,000,000 and that those receipts will affect summer cash flows.

Finance staff said they are studying options to preserve an appropriate cash balance through the end of the fiscal year and may recommend borrowing if necessary; they also said steps such as summer schedule adjustments and other cost controls should provide some savings. The administration said it will provide additional details next month after working with policy analytics partners on scenarios tied to recent legislative changes.

The transfer resolution passed unanimously; board discussion confirmed the transfer would be completed after closing May to capture any final month expenses and reported at the June meeting.","Trustees approved a procedural transfer of the operating referendum tax levy fund (about $3.5 million) into the district operations fund and received an update showing a low cash balance and projected property tax receipts in June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6224317,"Board approves retention and hiring incentives for math and science teachers for 2025-26",130,2852000,2982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7&start=2852&end=2982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7/thumbnail_2852000.jpg","/articles/6224317/Indiana/Board-approves-retention-and-hiring-incentives-for-math-and-science-teachers-for-2025-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224317-bbb1b12c1f756db9195dfee61b2265e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436689&Signature=HM832-aEgNCetpfJjzduLIUaiSVtJ9lU7CavXj~FwKtgpejPUtZJnzDkxA4rivmuUQjpJ0Y1M0GOyqRl~Ut43f0AHeAol3uM16YvsqRFvIODCjn2ZUccx-W53LjC~mnJQPkZAxgS5Fgn0O42bpUT19PeZ3e-sWVDxUjylrc0w0GydYfScx4YJxNNRFI2BCa6WDyaoLXEraCDzzar8KU7Olo459CyEv19S-yDkK1vg8VgclchoQAV1jsrxVnPk-8H~sscqnR3vkz6tfoweT-ONJlMFbW4FFuYT1inK7dzceG8HPVthrfJETl3dcwXCfVVS1KB8OSIocrkNqrHlpwBqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees approved two resolutions May 27 to offer supplemental payments aimed at keeping and recruiting teachers in identified high-need math and science areas for the 2025-26 school year.

In separate votes the board approved a retention incentive resolution for current teachers in those content areas and a hiring-incentive resolution empowering the superintendent to offer payments to new hires in identified shortages. Both measures were described by the administration as limited to the 2025-26 school term and will expire at that school-year end unless the board takes further action to extend them.

During discussion a board member asked that the district be transparent about who qualifies for the payments and for the administration to report back to the board and the public in January with an assessment of the program’s effectiveness. The administration confirmed it will provide a community update and work with HR and the teacher association on implementation details and timing for disbursement. One board member also requested that processing fees and payment mechanics be finalized so funds are paid promptly after eligibility is met.

Both resolutions passed unanimously; the transcript shows a motion and second for each and recorded “Aye” votes without recorded opposition.

The measures are described in the meeting as one-year programs tied specifically to the 2025-26 school year; district officials said they will evaluate effectiveness before considering extension or changes.","The Elkhart Community Schools board adopted two resolutions authorizing supplemental retention payments for current math and science teachers and hiring incentives for candidates in high-need areas for the 2025-26 school year; both measures expire at the end of that term unless extended.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6224323,"Elkhart board unanimously approves superintendent contract after revisions",290,457000,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7&start=457&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3551321-1c332b504ef7c7ce5dc724c130b0b6b7/thumbnail_457000.jpg","/articles/6224323/Indiana/Elkhart-board-unanimously-approves-superintendent-contract-after-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6224323-1e21d9cef64cdd7b846415d36c9fad95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436689&Signature=eaRVAHZ7JQXufCwcmv7ilxpFd4rV9sDAfxQfaQJKYwYj-0iwfJgn43R0wAM24dSFgZ2brUr8lcaTcIZpMzFZ4B6ZHB1gxVqT4FWcCSE1arDzeTvdQbZPXhQ0ylRCotbVhjVvh9b9jhYTO6LUqChHyhrNLXBLLXzR3cT5whb0i4WJkUVkUMjZHw~CBvcYKGHVmNlGxh5jJfT7WHA6XOQ2eEWyiBj0wngR9Rw5IpncfbnpIWtjlgJc3YH4Hatgc7xxEB~CBqgP9nFRP9zkfDxVplmrtFXBPKPj-cZbnp0uxQGKE4PCgEmMihdWBxHzYDaK4R403EnNo2NaoXcVT9nJGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously May 27 to approve a revised contract for the district superintendent.

Board President Scott brought the contract back to the board after it was pulled at the prior meeting so members could discuss and request changes. The administration and board made “appropriate adjustments,” and the revised contract was re-noticed to the public before the vote. President Scott announced, “The contract passes unanimously.”

The board read portions of the superintendent job description and responsibilities aloud during the discussion; the description listed district-wide duties including oversight of more than 10,000 students, communication with more than 20,000 parents and community members, management of a roughly $156,000,000 annual budget, and stewardship of school properties and a large transportation fleet. The board noted those responsibilities as context for the agreement they approved.

No individual motion-maker or second was recorded in the public remarks captured by the transcript. The board did not modify the contract language on the dais; administrators said the changes had been incorporated and publicly noticed prior to the vote.

The approval took place at the start of the meeting before the public comment period.

The board did not announce any additional timeline for public disclosure of the final contract text during the meeting.","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees approved a revised contract for the superintendent after discussing changes at a prior meeting; the board voted unanimously to adopt the agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board honors longtime teacher who started Colorado field trip and recognizes Elkhart High School rocket teams that reached nationals

Board approves background-check guidelines, updates to personnel and substitute policies and student suicide prevention policy

Board transfers referendum fund to operations and hears cash-balance update

Board approves retention and hiring incentives for math and science teachers for 2025-26

Elkhart board unanimously approves superintendent contract after revisions