Superintendent: transfer arrangement with TSC will continue for now as district monitors enrollment decline

Dr. Brent Greiner, superintendent of West Lafayette Community School Corporation, told the board on Aug. 4 that resident enrollment has fallen about 160 students since 2019–20 and that kindergarten enrollment this year arrived “significantly lower” than usual. “We typically enroll around 2,300 students a year, which supports a stable revenue,” Greiner said. He described a modest increase in transfer students that has helped offset lost funding tied to resident enrollment. The board heard why the district is not recommending immediate change to its transfer practice. “I want to say again that we are not recommending a change,” Greiner said, and added that Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) is willing to continue the historical transfer arrangement this year, which reduced the committee’s sense of urgency. Why it matters: Indiana funding follows each enrolled student; Greiner said the district receives roughly $7,200 in state funding per student and that a complete closure to transfers would produce a material revenue loss (he estimated roughly $1.2 million per year under today’s conditions). Board members and parents pressed for more detail on how a change would affect staff and programming, and for wider community input before any policy decision. Board discussion and community input: Trustees asked for clarifications about who initiates transfer application closures (Greiner said it typically is TSC) and why urgency has eased (because TSC’s legal review and willingness to continue the relationship resolved earlier uncertainties). Several trustees urged the administration to post the presentation online and to hold listening sessions; Trustee Disha Mumford said many community members felt tonight’s timing made it hard to attend. Parent speakers asked for clearer timelines and written agreements; Aliyah Scott, a district parent and licensed realtor, said, “If we’re relying on [the TSC arrangement], we need clear boundaries and a plan if things change.” Policy options and next steps presented: Greiner showed options ranging from (a) maintaining the current TSC transfer arrangement to (b) opening West Lafayette to transfers directly (which would require policy changes and state invoicing changes) to (c) fully closing transfers. He told the board the administration recommends continuing current practice and reviewing enrollment trends annually. If the board wishes to explore changes, staff requested formal direction to do so. Distinct facts and limits: The presentation cited House enrollment legislation that no longer allows districts to charge transfer families more than the state average daily membership (ADM) amount; Greiner said the district previously collected additional transfer fees that it will not be able to under the new law. The board did not vote on transfer policy at the meeting; trustees directed staff to post materials and to schedule future public engagement if demand warrants. What’s next: Administration will continue monitoring enrollment and transfer applications, post the presentation materials online, and work with the board chair on scheduling community listening sessions as needed. The district also flagged upcoming budget presentations from finance staff that will tie transfer choices into broader revenue questions.