[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6187824,"mediaKeyId","5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85","parentId",5064300,"title","Elkhart board appoints Rhonda Ross as district treasurer, effective July 1","audioSeconds",197,"startMs",3229000,"endMs",3426000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85&start=3229&end=3426","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85/thumbnail_3229000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6187824/Indiana/Elkhart-board-appoints-Rhonda-Ross-as-district-treasurer-effective-July-1","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187824-0b110c660e77a87b224e939d047b0f5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775024002&Signature=KknkCvOb-lq7-WWBWD3GiL6fV0-kSDfDfGa5qiNdGNni4wKQHDTh4l~NznDIGT4JaFe-bSOaVR24TkqT12DmcLqe8G8OsiQkiRVKNk~ucfKmjWrVv9SDzc2cGXuctKD49HzlTfHP5~ITuyW72e96nxzbtlzzqxb-4IUSDj0t6LY3KKl2cCu4LTKjYgedYrIektiHjxXYhgz0SAhLJmfO7ykJ37A~1wtFAaQ3PUXXKxS6soAqikMxpFsHEp0~PySK~Lgohg0kzkZ7K7gEoeuwPZnShTsUV5S3kJUZNmv-bgIblPsf-kcma3PeZr0rvkF90s~q22o7FUtFQNstdPyKjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-25T12:18:46Z","article","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees on June 24 approved the appointment of Rhonda Ross as district treasurer, effective July 1.

Rhonda Ross, who introduced herself at the meeting as currently serving as assistant CFO, said she has been shadowing business‑office staff and will continue initiatives on internal controls, cross‑department collaboration and stewardship of public funds. “I look forward to moving onward with the initiatives already started by the superintendent and the CFO, to face the challenges ahead,” Ross said.

Administrators told the board Ross holds a teaching certificate, a principal’s license, a CPA, an MBA and a JD and said she has worked closely with the current finance team over recent weeks. The appointment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

District leaders said Ross has been working with the business office on current resolutions and will be prepared to respond to future questions related to the district’s financial initiatives.

The board thanked current staff and outgoing leadership members during the meeting; no further action on the treasurer appointment was recorded beyond the confirmation.

Rhonda Ross’s responsibilities will include routine treasury duties and participation in the administration’s financial management and reporting efforts as the district implements the approved 2025 bond transactions and pursues cost‑saving measures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 6/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved appointment of Rhonda Ross as district treasurer; Ross, currently assistant CFO, said she has worked closely with current staff and plans to continue internal control and cross‑departmental efficiency efforts.","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},6187829,"Board adds food‑service specialist role to oversee vendor compliance, adjusts manager pay method",212,2067000,2279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85&start=2067&end=2279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85/thumbnail_2067000.jpg","/articles/6187829/Indiana/Board-adds-foodservice-specialist-role-to-oversee-vendor-compliance-adjusts-manager-pay-method","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187829-0ad0cd1b630700ca0c87b8a9f0e961d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775024002&Signature=oDiCWpScT7uvPS11RRA9UwicoSX42EMEJp9BxwuBDhqVgb4S6ZYx0bOgJcazmcSSqPBWVcsyOqiPGghfqcPWJdFCJIKjXJLz-R1NsDSmOFUv6kjoBo9uifCxKU1-fOy-2ri-bcvp-VsZh6P8CuDnLT2Hr5W0XTZ~0lMHqe2eYXW0ogyOnn1i4nQzew3HYqLxUp78eNewMmQ~gmsDpU-r90c2ntDKxo8pmvPpACaKtKgrANbaf75TsUG9mKhM6y38ZJ19zPLRyPYqxbAJ9tTnyhniZO-k9oRzkekEwKMgioQlGNlz79Ikzc9w62iAyCOkXXAp21ZQ5K8K7EEuq9ejTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously on June 24 to adopt proposed revisions to its employee compensation plan that create a new food‑service specialist position to oversee the food‑service management company (FSMC) relationship, include the project director for the full‑service community‑schools grant within an existing salary range, and convert the manager of community and family engagement from an hourly to a salaried wage range.

“The first position would be a new position, entitled the food service specialist, FSMC Oversight. This individual will serve as our liaison between the business office and our food service management company,” said Mr. Thorne, presenting the administration’s recommendation. He said the position will be responsible for ensuring the FSMC adheres to contractual requirements and complies with applicable federal, state and local regulations related to child‑nutrition programs and financial accountability.

Mr. Thorne also said the compensation map method for the manager of community and family engagement would change from hourly to salary and that the project‑director placement is grant funded; he stated the change to the manager’s pay method would not increase the total annual compensation allocated for that position.

The board moved, seconded and approved the policy revisions during the meeting by voice vote. No amendments were proposed on the record.

Administrators said the new oversight role is intended to strengthen district monitoring of vendor performance and compliance as the district implements its FSMC contract and related nutrition‑program objectives.","The board approved revisions to the employee compensation plan to add a food‑service specialist (FSMC oversight), include a grant‑funded project director in salary ranges, and convert a manager position from hourly to salaried pay.",{"_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},6187834,"Elkhart board approves 2025 taxable general‑obligation bond and related appropriations to bolster cash runway",825,2295000,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85&start=2295&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85/thumbnail_2295000.jpg","/articles/6187834/Indiana/Elkhart-board-approves-2025-taxable-generalobligation-bond-and-related-appropriations-to-bolster-cash-runway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187834-a6ee77e0242c2b07577915bc17ed2e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1775024002&Signature=h2aKrJ60RfHLBbiMrUBX6sse907RgloUd542Ii-OSTNtnVIyFucATi5YWn2XyO-5pbE~BkIztD22eWoJanvJzJLuTWmknMNbXklG~1RIbjCJJJCdpsxnkH9Tx1AlnMq6Z5ri0e1zdGRvSU7CLcZDHnuSfj~dmB7IfSaeuQTqCAr0STcEYDn4gaqkAqtJhen4wZ4aaLGjRF0LKcCPUbyhBEebQps-KegtWsqk-iIgiuK-2LrmJKyxfgCF98ZOSYva7g9EOBKJ876Zkf-4JSaMiRTPrOxdbFJUXKZHiKhd-1DWmE2wLrcNn61LmzJLA2RfO3D5CkaJepJZ5exZFl3dbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees on June 24 approved a resolution to issue a 2025 taxable general‑obligation (GO) bond to reimburse prior capital expenditures and provide a short‑term cash infusion, and approved related additional appropriations for previously sold bond series.

“This bond ... allows us to capture dollars on roofing projects and other bus purchases,” said Zach Quiet, of the business office, explaining the issuance would reimburse capital spending and extend the district’s cash runway while staff implement cost reductions.

The board unanimously approved the resolution to issue the 2025 taxable GO bond and later approved separate resolutions increasing appropriations for the district’s previously issued 2025 A, B and C bond series (the middle‑school renovation bonds) and for other related appropriations. The votes passed unanimously.

During the discussion, board members and staff emphasized the measure is a short‑term financial mechanism rather than a long‑term fix. “I look at this as using a credit card,” a board member said, adding that the district must continue work to reduce personnel and other spending. The administration described the bond as a way to create a “softer landing” while the board and administration pursue longer‑term savings such as food‑service changes, time clocks and staffing‑ratio reviews.

Finance staff reported consolidated cash funds at a low 4.9% of expenditures as of the May close, noting that local property‑tax disbursements (a June payment of $12,900,000 was referenced) normally provide a mid‑year uptick in balances. The administration warned that even significant cuts would not immediately return spending to historical levels and said the bond would provide temporary relief while additional cost‑saving measures take effect in fall months.

Board members repeatedly framed the approval as a pragmatic step to buy time for reforms already underway. The district also held a public hearing on the additional appropriations and reported a modest premium on prior bond issuances allowed the district to increase middle‑school project appropriations by roughly $17,000 across the A, B and C series.

No public comments were made during the appropriations hearing. The board closed the hearing and proceeded to approvals.

The bond resolution and appropriation approvals require standard administrative follow‑up steps by the business office and the district’s bond counsel; no change to tax rates or voter approval was discussed during the meeting.","The board approved a 2025 taxable general‑obligation bond issuance and multiple additional appropriations tied to prior bond sales, while staff warned the district’s consolidated cash balance is at a low 4.9% and signaled the need for continued spending reductions.",{"_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},6187839,"Elkhart food‑service staff urge board to address outsourcing losses in sick/PBI time and 12‑month status",897,859000,1756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85&start=859&end=1756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064300-5f81094f030e0c6f0e0553242c4f2b85/thumbnail_859000.jpg","/articles/6187839/Indiana/Elkhart-foodservice-staff-urge-board-to-address-outsourcing-losses-in-sickPBI-time-and-12month-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6187839-decae20bdb3cccf614e0c71aed2ae379/orig.mp4?Expires=1775024002&Signature=Tm9EKWYLNfk2K2d7qsDQH~YyJGTODgeAsSQYMefHjDRF138Pwjxrbn9wTekfp2UnOwSHGdhGycyRo4f5OOj0maNcSFPH8Fq0J3KeDBL8IjcGsGzKRIYJ7IoLXE0ZfRFN0Wl5namRYqSJcKl8cfOTtFif-MoeLdDB1c4HhxY26p0cOy7-dhK0dV2zxasMhdQWNYPA0ldxE6ZemiSEUbYBgH62m2NtNInAU-m8w-7tNAX5vEhQLNOPoCjlyweyKxjkXldonpKlWfxz3GBFCU1puqWSrad93aJzV46Q2ECa63QY88tPA3kFHIQzatrbtDObQaB-xUsKyunwkP7E9BR2eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elkhart food‑service employees told the Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees on June 24 that the district’s transition to Chartwells as a food‑service management company has left many workers facing the loss of accrued leave, a change from 12‑month to 9‑month employment and limited information about how those changes will affect household budgets.

The concerns, raised during public comment, centered on leave balances employees said they accumulated over years of service and on inconsistent communication from district administrators during the outsourcing process.

“I'm at 14 years and 7 months of service. I have 969 hours accrued. And if I total that out, that's about $26,000,” said Sarah Castelman, a food‑service employee, describing time she said she set aside to cover family needs and future costs. Castelman said she is not currently eligible to retire and asked the board to consider options such as crediting a portion of accrued hours to retirement for employees who will lose hours under the new contract.

Another employee, who identified herself as Shannon and said she works in the food‑service department, described the scale of district operations and the staff’s contribution: “This past school year alone, our elementary staff served ...” and later provided a total of 2,024,465 meals served across programs over 180 days. The remarks were offered to emphasize the magnitude of work performed by food‑service personnel.

Angela Schwamm, the food‑service secretary, told the board she was told positions would be assigned based on program needs rather than 9‑ or 12‑month labels and that many 12‑month employees — she said about 23 others like her — would lose 12‑month status. “I have 837.5 PFI hours,” Schwamm said, adding that staff were given about 13 days to decide whether to accept employment with Chartwells and that many questions submitted by employees remained unanswered.

Diana Carr, who identified herself as a food‑service employee, said she emailed the board with questions in June and received no acknowledgment; she also provided her accrued leave totals: “I have 1,248 hours of sick time and 14 days of banked PB days.” Carr said the district told her it would pay banked PB days if she moved to the new vendor, but that there was no lateral job movement available and that employees would be shifted to 9‑month status.

Board members did not take new action on the outsourcing item during the public‑comment period. The comments were recorded under the meeting’s public‑comment process; several speakers asked the district to preserve accrued leave values, apply some of those balances toward retirement, or otherwise mitigate the financial impact for long‑tenured employees.

The employees’ remarks also contained specific requests for clearer communication and for equal treatment of earned benefits regardless of whether staff choose to go to the new vendor. The transcript reflects that employees provided detailed hour and dollar estimates and requested concrete remedies; no formal motion or vote addressed those remedies during the meeting.

The board later approved unrelated administrative and financial items during the meeting, but the public‑comment segment closed without a board statement committing to a particular remedy for the food‑service staff who spoke.

Board members and district leaders have previously said the Chartwells contract is intended to increase accountability and operational changes. Public commenters in this meeting said they support some elements of the transition, such as accountability and uniforms, but asked the board to consider preserving accrued benefits and clarifying which jobs will remain 12‑month positions.

The employees who spoke requested follow‑up from district leadership and asked that outstanding questions (logged previously on a staff spreadsheet, according to speakers) be answered before decisions are finalized.","Multiple Elkhart food‑service employees told the school board they face lost leave balances, a cut from 12‑month to 9‑month status and insufficient communication during the district’s transition to Chartwells, urging the board to protect accrued benefits or offer alternatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elkhart board appoints Rhonda Ross as district treasurer, effective July 1

Board adds food‑service specialist role to oversee vendor compliance, adjusts manager pay method

Elkhart board approves 2025 taxable general‑obligation bond and related appropriations to bolster cash runway

Elkhart food‑service staff urge board to address outsourcing losses in sick/PBI time and 12‑month status