Munster board adopts 2026 budget plans, ratifies teacher contract and approves bus purchase and vendor agreement

The School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees on Oct. (regular meeting) approved a set of budget and capital resolutions for budget year 2026, ratified the district's 2025--2027 collective bargaining agreement with the Munster Teachers Association (one board member abstained), and authorized several facilities and transportation purchases, the board said during its meeting.

The approvals included adoption of a proposed bus replacement plan, a capital projects fund plan and budget-form appropriations, a transfer mechanism from the education fund to the operations fund, ratification of the teachers' contract and purchase orders for control equipment and an enhanced transit bus. Most motions passed unanimously; the teacher contract was ratified with one abstention.

Why it matters: The resolutions set the district's near-term capital and operations spending plans and clear several procurement actions that will affect transportation, building systems and student services in 2025--26. Ratification of the teachers' contract implements wage and benefit changes that the administration told the board it expects to appear on payroll beginning in November.

Board action and key votes

- Consent agenda (items 5.1'5.7): Approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously (voice vote recorded as 4-0). The consent agenda encompassed minutes from September meetings, donations and fundraising approvals and related routine business.

- Resolution 886, bus replacement plan…