Board approves transfer-tuition plan, consent items and permission to advertise safety upgrades

The South Madison Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees approved several routine and programmatic items at its February meeting, including a transfer-tuition plan for the 2025–26 school year, accounts payable vouchers, a consent package of board items and permission to advertise bids for safety upgrades at Pendleton Heights High School.

Transfer-tuition plan The board approved a transfer-tuition plan that sets the district’s open transfer application window from March 3 through April 18, with the board scheduled to act on approvals May 1. Administrators removed the application fee for transfer applicants and said the plan lists advertised openings that aggregate to 152 possible transfer seats districtwide; the presenters warned kindergarten openings are significantly lower than in past years because the district surveyed current nonresident families and expects sibling enrollments. District staff said if demand exceeds seats, a lottery could be needed in May. The board approved the plan by roll call.

Consent agenda and accounts payable The board took a single vote to approve accounts payable vouchers and consent agenda items 5.1–5.9 as presented. Board members noted one item in the packet: an AmVets donation of $6,000 to district nutrition services to help cover student meal balances. Administrators said additional organizations may offer assistance as well.

Permission to advertise for bids: Pendleton Heights High School safety upgrades The administration requested permission to advertise for two projects: cabling and security-camera upgrades at Pendleton Heights High School and redesign of the high school main office and exterior doors. Officials said funding for the projects would come from bond proceeds authorized in late 2023 and that the administration may seek financing from the Indiana Bond Bank; administrators said they will return to the board for final contract approval after bids are received. The drawings presented showed an entry sequence intended to require visitors to check in at the office and noted the addition of a family/unisex restroom off the cafeteria corridor. The board approved permission to advertise for bids.

Other routine business The board acknowledged first readings of about 30 policy updates and received superintendent remarks including thanks to bus drivers after a state inspection in which all 46 district buses passed. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn was approved.

Votes at a glance - Transfer-tuition plan (2025–26): motion moved and seconded; roll call — approved (recorded roll-call responses: President Lord: yes; Connie McElroy: yes; Kevin: yes; Mike: yes; Mark: yes; Tom Ward: yes; other board members recorded as yes). Outcome: approved. - Accounts payable vouchers (item 4.2): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda items 5.1–5.9 (taken together): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Permission to advertise for bids (cabling, cameras, office redesign at Pendleton Heights High School): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved. - Adjournment: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

The board did not provide additional fiscal details for the bid estimates at the time of permission to advertise; administrators said final contract awards and any financing arrangements would return to the board for approval.