The MSD Martinsville Schools Board of School Trustees approved the district budget, updated board compensation policy and several capital- and operations-related resolutions during a regularly scheduled meeting, the board president said.

Board members voted to approve the 2025–26 budget, adopt a new compensation policy for the board (Policy 0144.1), authorize projected transfers between the Education Fund and Operations Fund (Resolution 478), adopt the district bus replacement plan (Resolution 479), approve the capital projects fund plan (Resolution 480), and set appropriations and tax rates (Resolution 481). The board also approved a district technology building switch project under the E-rate program, a facility-usage fee schedule for Martinsville High School, and accepted several donations and a robotics grant from the Indiana Department of Education.

Why it matters: the votes put the district’s operating plan and capital priorities into motion for the coming school year and formalize a new approach to board compensation and outside-group use of district facilities.

Most immediate actions and outcomes

- Policy 0144.1 (Board compensation) — Approved. The board advanced a revised compensation policy (second reading). The board president said the policy replaces an older structure (previously $2,000/year plus meeting/executive-session stipends) with a percentage-based approach to align practice with protocol and to address past underpayments. Vote: voice vote recorded as Aye; board members present voted in favor.

- 2025–26 Budget — Approved. The board approved the budget recommended at last month’s meeting. Vote: voice vote recorded as Aye; board members present voted in favor.

- Resolution 478 (anticipated 2025–26 transfers between Education Fund and Operations Fund) — Approved. The superintendent and board clarified these are projected amounts that could change. Vote: Aye.

- Resolution 479 (Bus replacement plan) — Approved. Vote: Aye.

- Resolution 480 (Capital projects fund plan) — Approved. Vote: Aye.

- Resolution 481 (Appropriations and tax rates) — Approved. Vote: Aye.

- Indiana Department of Education robotics grant — Approved. The board accepted a $94,411.06 grant for robotics and STEM programming. The superintendent publicly thanked Shannon Adams for her role securing the grant. Vote: Aye.

- MHS facility usage rate chart — Approved. The board adopted a revised facility-fee schedule to charge outside groups more for use of improved facilities (custodial and wear-and-tear costs cited). The board discussed tracking usage and revenue in the business and athletic offices. Vote: Aye.

- Building switch project (E-rate) — Approved. The board authorized a building switch project under E-rate to support district technology. Vote: Aye.

- Donations — Approved. Delta Theta Tau donated $750 to the MHS National Honor Society; Circle of Peace donated $3,500 to the district family service coordinator. Vote: Aye.

Other routine approvals

- Consent agenda (minutes, payroll reports, personnel report) — Approved by voice vote.

- Student field trip: Martinsville High School Youth & Government overnight trip to Indianapolis, Feb. 27–March 1 — Approved.

- Professional travel: School Nutrition Industry Conference in Austin for two staff members (named in the meeting as Kurt and Michael) — Approved.

Details on voting and procedure

Most items were approved by voice vote with the board president calling for “aye” and the motions carrying. The meeting record shows no roll-call tallies; board members present (Heather Staggs, Luke Jackson, Dan Conway, Jackie Deckard and Matt Hankins) answered in the affirmative for the motions recorded as carried. Where the board clarified projected amounts (Resolution 478), speakers noted the figures could change and might be less than projected.

What the board said

Superintendent Eric Golan framed several items as routine but important to the district’s operations, thanking staff for grant work and for preparing facility-use guidance. Golan said the facility-fee update was intended to ensure custodial and replacement costs are covered when outside groups use district facilities. On the robotics grant, he publicly thanked Shannon Adams for securing the award.

Next steps

Approved budget and capital documents will guide spending and projects in the coming fiscal year. The board did not set specific implementation dates for all items in the meeting discussion; details will follow through district staff reports and future meetings.