[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6005913,"mediaKeyId","5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9","parentId",5829369,"title","Board tables employee handbook and board‑compensation policy after lawmakers’ rule changes and member concerns","audioSeconds",1026,"startMs",4387000,"endMs",5413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9&start=4387&end=5413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9/thumbnail_4387000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6005913/Indiana/Board-tables-employee-handbook-and-boardcompensation-policy-after-lawmakers-rule-changes-and-member-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6005913-c44d4aa9a6dfd21a6a5543df39b3d282/orig.mp4?Expires=1775171029&Signature=KWuzgnLb0mZvgREFHKXIRCKZGmHqCJ6QjpPu5hl0uFdvTNKooyZodAeGl0XvpM-nZr2d2-DUOiBqVEy4fFhJt5FN~o-r0gQV67AEuibYdG~-5HP2a0IQxzLyl2iBpJG9FHScV4h3KHgP6WssuthWbrs2Oc12XJcVsvhofkrXnW31v9AnvAqL-vQYRGg2KX6R23Ne7a9Ed37zLDFfmMU27HW23g1j22a-HUNGDiU9GxhusXs2ri7DLwUnwB3sJX4N74W51iaOaB0w0EnFJNr34vEWdZ1W3unRjgOPuoko29LPc-1jo7ykcxKdd7zz7d7A-1WGHZkVvn0XrRjDhYYJ7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School City of East Chicago","date","2025-08-13T00:00:00Z","article","The School City of East Chicago Board of School Trustees on Aug. 12 discussed and ultimately tabled consideration of a revised employee handbook and a related board-compensation policy after trustees raised substantive concerns and asked the policy committee to reconvene.

Attorney Michael Snow told trustees that a July 1 change in state law altered how boards may set compensation. \"That law says that compensation to a school board member cannot exceed 10% of the lowest salary of a school teacher that's employed by the corporation,\" Snow said. He said the statute permits either an annual salary (capped at 10% of the lowest teacher salary), a per‑diem (not to exceed the Indianapolis school board per‑diem), or both; ISBA attorneys told the district that practice varies and local boards must choose an approach that matches budget and community expectations.

Trustees raised several concerns in public comment and discussion: Trustee Smith asked that the board consult its financial advisor before deciding on per‑diems or salary figures and said the policy's current language (drawn from model policies) needed rewriting. Trustee Taylor pointed out table-of-contents inconsistencies and urged clearer language distinguishing applicants from employees when the handbook addresses background checks and reporting. Several trustees urged that the handbook remain a living document but asked for explicit page-number and formatting fixes and for committee review of sections that reference reporting lines (for example, who a superintendent reports to if policies require reporting to the superintendent).

Outcome and next steps: Trustees voted to table the employee handbook item and asked the policy committee to meet and incorporate requested edits, including clarification of applicant-versus-employee wording, table-of-contents pagination corrections and a review of board-compensation language. Trustee Gomez moved to table and Trustee Smith seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Administration will return a revised draft to the board; trustees indicated they expect further committee work before a final vote.

Why it matters: The handbook and compensation policy affect employee expectations, reporting lines and board transparency. Trustees emphasized that board policy and collective‑bargaining agreements supersede handbook language and that any changes will be subject to further board approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular School Board Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees debated an employee handbook and a new board‑compensation policy tied to a July 1 state law; the policy committee will review requested edits and the handbook was tabled for further revision.","taxTitle","School City of East Chicago, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",46609,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6005918,"Board approves outside psychologist contract to clear special‑education evaluation backlog",312,3984000,4296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9&start=3984&end=4296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9/thumbnail_3984000.jpg","/articles/6005918/Indiana/Board-approves-outside-psychologist-contract-to-clear-specialeducation-evaluation-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6005918-d002c7cf88537473d219e908382c77f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775171029&Signature=dyNahBtJ8aKTWsAEEKcQmsXIzm6eQ0-nNWTMwdfgM5v3mUN0Zm9uphtn9tEe-Fjulff6EWwy19h6PTos1dnRIuiK08OUbLF6-5PyX8jWCUxv0xbb4Om7To9D78ZXMTfadEkRWU-tV0bZhmAkJIcVwGpUIjzrC4i~VczIOrXMAKLwukXGi99msApH1O7Wd79V-PUluADU~Wyh0-sy8gjs8W8ewDqdnlbYeqclf8fpLjgBDO2tpPSYyyMshO-eOv6cbUHhGqIhi6ADsrOouLw3Emkl7K0iCDk-C0yA74bTW9stSl4GkDAlWItAEmNVpGOedcNnMjbjyl3zzENu-k9hYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees approved a contract renewal on Aug. 12 for an outside school-psychology vendor to conduct special-education evaluations while district staff levels remain low.

Mary Jensen, the district’s secondary special-education coordinator, said the district currently lacks internal capacity because one psychologist is on maternity leave and another staffer resigned. She said the contractor will administer tests, write reports and attend initial case conferences. \"They will charge 1 price for a simple evaluation and another for a more complex evaluation. So they will actually work with our diagnosticians. They will test our children. They will generate the report. And then they will attend the initial case conference to determine if the child meets eligibility for special education services,\" Jensen said.

Contract details and legal timeline: Trustees and counsel discussed contract limits. An updated version of the agreement, not included with the first packet, caps the contract to a not-to-exceed total of 75 evaluations for the year: up to 50 standard evaluations and up to 25 more-complex evaluations (for example, assessments for students on the autism spectrum or cognitive testing) at a higher rate per evaluation. Attorney Snow and staff stressed that evaluations must meet the district’s timeline obligations; Jensen noted evaluations are time-sensitive and must be completed after parental permission is signed.

Why it matters: The contract is intended to ensure legally required evaluations are completed within required timelines while the district recruits permanent staff. Trustees asked for the finalized contract document and for administration to circulate the updated agreement to the board.

Board action: The board approved the contract renewal; staff said they will distribute the updated contract language and the not-to-exceed counts to trustees following the meeting.","Trustees approved a contract for an outside psychology vendor to conduct educational evaluations while district staff fill vacancies; the updated agreement caps contractors at a not-to-exceed 75 evaluations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6005923,"Board renews Project Rebuild contract; partners will continue home‑based truancy support and McKinney‑Vento services",292,3176000,3468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9&start=3176&end=3468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9/thumbnail_3176000.jpg","/articles/6005923/Indiana/Board-renews-Project-Rebuild-contract-partners-will-continue-homebased-truancy-support-and-McKinneyVento-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6005923-7d6e1f99339e32bfe7e4f2e70c03f55f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775171029&Signature=RC0FXG3k1RK2NoGg9Xs6rFRqviaDVdZJUQ45ExcA0MoPx87xPcsAvwLE4yzsSX6TjhgN6AVsgU3p-SvGaPCYXP1dHDtpLvb1PeFGKXPXlkKKBeGgzG0tWAn1TiF6DoQwF58oqZRuGw9ncbnNnNBXYmviTfEwJJm7swrRAwL1YvhTYseLzpu6HysNehpSw4tOMLmQVYJZ4LU4p1hGVPQoboYcwak9TjL9sPlp~r6j54Pu352V~OFVtWUqWl7f8oQCRM86C6NATln5XNw8b0-qspqdkwkvOeHYfpEXGr9Zke8e1DGI4Ref5AvonHbj4ZMqHnN6ABfhtzf59p7Ch8afuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board approved a contract renewal with Project Rebuild on Aug. 12 to continue services aimed at reducing student truancy and connecting families to resources.

Miss Daniels, a district point of contact for the program, said Project Rebuild provides a range of services: home visits and casework for families, help finding housing and rental deposits for families experiencing homelessness (McKinney‑Vento students), job-search assistance and referrals for parenting classes when those services are court-ordered. \"They help them find housing. If the parent has lost a job, they help them look for employment. If they need help with utilities, they need the down payment or anything of that nature,\" Daniels said.

Attorney Michael Snow told the board the city’s truancy ordinance functions as an enforcement mechanism and is separate from the service component. \"I think that project rebuild probably could be a component of what the family is asked to do or part of the assistance that they can receive as they participate in the truancy court program,\" Snow said, adding the two programs can dovetail but are legally distinct.

Referrals and caseload: Daniels said referrals come from school staff (assistant principals, deans, social workers and liaisons) using provider forms; an assigned Project Rebuild staff member then begins work with the family. The district retains two truant officers, Daniels said. She also said the district tracks referral counts and that some partners who provide broad wraparound services may receive more than 100 referrals in a year depending on their service scope.

Why it matters: Trustees framed Project Rebuild as part of a broader truancy‑reduction and family‑support strategy that can complement enforcement through the city ordinance and the truancy court. Board members asked for more data on service volume and outcomes; Daniels said she can provide referral tallies and suggested a future work session to bring Project Rebuild and other partners in to explain services and caseloads.

What’s next: Trustees asked administration to schedule a partner presentation or work session showing the number of cases served and how Project Rebuild coordinates with school-based staff and the district’s truant officers.","Trustees approved a renewal of the Project Rebuild agreement; the provider will continue court‑linked truancy supports, housing- and utility-assistance referrals, and services for McKinney‑Vento students.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6005928,"District reports widespread summer HVAC, boiler and facility work; board approves Washington boiler project",539,1514000,2053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9&start=1514&end=2053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","/articles/6005928/Indiana/District-reports-widespread-summer-HVAC-boiler-and-facility-work-board-approves-Washington-boiler-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6005928-c4bc475cfda6fbad28ab3c5888b93d55/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218231&Signature=iJ1t7E4QZkuDpg8EApT2~ZMspp89W6hSMhVJGBeJvDSzSM5xJxAljNtH74GfIRb65-~Loo9p4GtEyNu4WQOC2koFQLaBdMn8kB98h2mAvldleIQoETmjt8VjGV7Vswn4sdtp0LPjkPMwlLcAgx90BOnRYtxRUl-39deJeeutjLKYTiIABqFZtm-QsFvlj0NxOuR8geYe2t-iSiTeIkYamNGzu2ewL8yP4j-5nYXS86C1WUuSmZBgKOWKlHqgzKEc7DFjNPahAQGf5Iem07HYvrGtEgL0sW4OjiJHvJURMnbLFDIjwrLOnChDaKDYnZHHdEtqVdjAJsC7HKTmRRpdPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School City of East Chicago’s executive director of business, Mrs. Leila Simmons, told the board on Aug. 12 that the district completed and started several summer facilities projects, but still faces equipment failures and commissioning tasks that required immediate attention.

Simmons said a lighting project at Washington began the week of the meeting and should finish within weeks, and that Washington’s recently installed HVAC requires filter changes every 30 days; she said the district has placed those filters on automatic reorder. \"This new system requires the filters to be changed every 30 days and within 30 days, they will stop blowing air,\" Simmons said.

She described several school-specific issues: Lincoln Elementary has one chiller out of service and Univents being replaced; Central High School has 15 air handlers and the district will replace air handlers 1–5 first because the parts-and-fit assessment made partial repairs impractical; Block, Harrison and McKinley generally held up but needed routine upkeep. Simmons said air handler 5 at Central serves the cafeterias and portions of the second and third floors; air handler 1 is large and sits over the gym/pool area and will require cutting an opening in a rear wall to install replacements.

Simmons also said Central’s bathrooms were repaired and finished work on the Z wing and common areas, and that the school’s walk-in freezer requires a construction team to replace built-in elements and will be completed within weeks. She said a temporary chiller was placed at \"Carrie Gosh\" (name used in the July/August materials) and that a vendor fixed a smoking belt and air-handler issue there.

Board action: The board approved item 6.13, a construction contract to address Washington Elementary’s boiler exhaust and code compliance so the boilers will not overheat and shut down during cold weather. The vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: Simmons and trustees discussed the operational and safety implications of HVAC outages for classrooms, cafeterias and common spaces, and the need for preventive maintenance tied to newer systems. Trustee questions highlighted the need for clearer documentation of project timelines and the district’s multi-year facility plan; Simmons said an external assessment (Rittman) is under way to produce a five- to ten‑year facilities plan covering HVAC, roofs, and other capital needs.

What remains: Simmons said some central projects will go out to bid in September/October (Central air-handlers) and that the Central pool roof—replaced in February 2023—sustained wind damage and a bid for additional work will be brought forward at a future meeting. She said the district has also approved an elevator replacement project near the gym that should start within a month.

Board members and staff requested clearer progress reports and cost breakdowns going forward.","The district detailed HVAC, chiller and building repairs across schools, explained new filter schedules tied to recently installed systems, and the board approved a construction contract to bring Washington's boiler vents into compliance before winter.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6005933,"East Chicago schools open with 3,181 students; superintendent cites mixed ILEARN results and staffing gaps",275,504000,779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9&start=504&end=779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5829369-18090100352b9e85f25319873f5f70c9/thumbnail_504000.jpg","/articles/6005933/Indiana/East-Chicago-schools-open-with-3181-students-superintendent-cites-mixed-ILEARN-results-and-staffing-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6005933-755ee94eaa9e0ed6b4ff4939313c627f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775171029&Signature=mrtVdFMg85n8a~nufDmCNHz3eqvuh0qL~cti4VNHSBurUX3UVTyrRev4sVHrcuovdUl8rEYvezxj1BfHtRDcL-1LmjuW5lf4b7z8bPtw155BHQY0O8R62PFIpxHQHAu-DEP2M5NQrFDT24aZPd7wTAnIvflKIbkorcS0uv9htJC~qTcm6WuB-yARFoeTYZNQftqsxTa3R-ds4ZhhqNpG2D9yYfT7HpijycjxAtPVRv~GIhW0fNvZFdQZJ4UbizXRY~KNOabXFaQ9sHa3kbjog6S6Y5YuVwd8jP44wCB3CRWpX3zRE4GuALbw0xKfKP9~qnGBtC2ABhN7hudr1b7okQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Darnell Burnett told the School City of East Chicago Board of School Trustees on Aug. 12 that the district opened the 2025–26 school year with 3,181 students and 424 new enrollees, and that first-day attendance was 86.83%.

Burnett said district-level ILEARN proficiency varied by grade and subject and described those results as a mixed picture that showed pockets of growth and clear areas needing support. \"Our third graders are 14% proficient\" in English/Language Arts and fourth grade 9%, Burnett said; he gave fifth grade at 14% and eighth grade at 18%. For math, he reported third grade at about 20% proficiency and said middle-school math proficiency was lower (seventh grade 6%, eighth grade 7%). At the high school level Burnett reported ELA at 31% and said combined math-and-reading proficiency across tested grades was low.

Why it matters: Burnett framed the figures as a baseline for targeted interventions. He highlighted notable growth and singled out certain schools for praise: Washington School won a summer reading challenge, Harrison had the highest math proficiency for the district on ILEARN 2025, and Block had the highest ELA proficiency.

Supporting details: Burnett said the district is paying attention to growth measures as well as proficiency. He cited growth gains in ELA and math at multiple schools — naming Washington, Harrison, Block, Lincoln and McKinley — and said staff will present more detailed data at a later work session after state releases are finalized. He also said the district had 69 vacancies over the summer and opened the year with 40 vacancies across positions including paraprofessionals, security and social workers; classroom teacher vacancies were 13 (a 95% fill rate). Burnett encouraged using a substitute staffing agency to improve coverage and noted Central High School saw a nearly 20% increase in SAT EBRW performance that he described as a positive sign.

Board and community notes: Burnett introduced several new administrators to the public, including Lincoln Elementary principal Dr. Elroy Estes and Catherine Broadnax, the district's new career and technical education director. The board and audience members applauded the schools and staff recognized in the presentation.

What’s next: Burnett said the district will present a more detailed public discussion of ILEARN results and an extended work session at a later date.","Superintendent Darnell Burnett reported first-day enrollment of 3,181 and laid out 2025 ILEARN proficiency rates by grade, while noting the district began the year with 40 vacancies and 13 classroom teacher openings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board tables employee handbook and board‑compensation policy after lawmakers’ rule changes and member concerns

Board approves outside psychologist contract to clear special‑education evaluation backlog

Board renews Project Rebuild contract; partners will continue home‑based truancy support and McKinney‑Vento services

District reports widespread summer HVAC, boiler and facility work; board approves Washington boiler project

East Chicago schools open with 3,181 students; superintendent cites mixed ILEARN results and staffing gaps