The Elkhart Community Schools Board voted on multiple consent items, contracts and policy changes and unanimously approved a resolution asking the superintendent to begin a comprehensive study of possible school consolidations and facility realignment.

Key votes and outcomes (all recorded by roll call as passed/approved):

- Consent: acceptance of community donations totaling $79,562.20 (sponsorships and targeted program gifts) — approved unanimously.

- Contracts: initial and final consideration approvals for multiple vendor agreements, including AMS Global (Elkhart High School), Connectable Inc. (Elkhart Area Career Center), CEL Public Relations Inc., Milliman Inc., and Energy Cap LLC — approved unanimously.

- Policy approvals: final approval of board policy 3142c (cancellation of a teacher’s contract); waivers and approvals for policy revisions including 3410.04c (substitute compensation) and 3422.04S (bus helpers wait schedule) — approved unanimously.

- Capital project award: contract award recommended for kitchen serving‑line upgrades at Northside, Pier Moran and Westside Middle Schools — approved unanimously.

- Resolutions: board approved a resolution directing Superintendent Dr. Hough to initiate a comprehensive, data‑driven consolidation and facility realignment study. The resolution charges the administration to evaluate enrollment trends, facility capacity and condition, financial sustainability, transportation impacts and program access; engage stakeholders through public meetings and digital communication; and return final recommendations by March 2026 — approved unanimously. The board also approved a separate resolution reaffirming the district’s commitment to support students from military families and compliance with board policy 05/2002 — approved unanimously.

Each roll call recorded the trustees voting in favor: Eric Ivory; Anne Vander Veil; Troy Scott; Doug Weaver; Kelly Mullins; Mike Burnett; and Daisy/Dacey Davis. Tally for each recorded vote: yes 7, no 0, abstain 0.

Board and administration remarks emphasized fiscal realities, declining enrollment and aging facilities as drivers for the consolidation study. Superintendent Dr. Hough said the study should be community‑driven, data‑driven and completed in time for board action ahead of decisions that would affect upcoming school years. He told the board that state officials warned that, if the district does not act, external authorities could impose decisions.

Trustees encouraged community participation in the upcoming “state of the district” meetings and said they expect public forums and digital dashboards to be shared during the study period.