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Pre-bargaining and 2026 budget public hearings opened and closed with no public testimony
Summary
The board convened a joint public hearing with the Mt Vernon Classroom Teachers Association as required by Indiana law and opened a public hearing on the 2026 budget; both hearings recorded no public comments and closed promptly.
The Mt Vernon Community School Corp held two statutorily required public hearings at the start of its meeting: a joint pre-bargaining hearing with the Mount Vernon Classroom Teachers Association and a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget. Both hearings opened for public comment and closed with no members of the public speaking.
Board President Shannon Walls read the statutory basis for the pre-bargaining hearing, citing Indiana Code 20-29-6-1 and SEA 390 as the legislative provisions that require a public hearing and public testimony before formal collective bargaining. Desiree Scalp, president of the Mount Vernon Classroom Teachers Association, and Lindsay Knight, the association’s vice president, were present to represent teachers’ interests.
CFO Greg Elkins read the required notice for the 2026 budget hearing and explained that the district typically presents conservative budget assumptions — inflating levies and rates and reducing anticipated property values — because state budget offices often reduce estimates during review. Elkins said the budget resolution and tax rates will be visible at the board’s October adoption meeting; he noted taxpayers may file an objection petition within seven days after the hearing if at least 10 taxpayers object to the budget, tax rate or levy as presented.
Both hearings closed with no public testimony. The board then proceeded to other agenda items and routine reports.
