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Gary board approves request to seek additional appropriations for operations fund; public raises questions about Westside pool
Summary
The Gary Community School Corporation board approved a resolution asking the Department of Local Government to allow additional appropriations, mainly to cover transportation costs, and heard public concerns about a proposed Westside pool and the timing of transfers.
The Gary Community School Corporation board on a unanimous roll call vote approved a resolution requesting the Indiana Department of Local Government to authorize additional appropriations for the district’s operations fund, primarily to cover increased transportation costs. Superintendent Dr. Stokes and Chief Financial presenter Linda Zaborowski said the request stems from higher enrollment (ADM) and related needs for more bus fleet capacity and support staff.
"This does not mean that we are going to spend this full amount," Linda Zaborowski said, explaining the district seeks authorization to have funds available if needed. She said the request relates to the 2023 budget and was publicly noticed and discussed at a prior meeting.
Why it matters: Zaborowski told the board the request is intended to ensure the district has funds available to cover unanticipated increases in transportation and personnel costs; the Department of Local Government must approve the additional appropriation before funds can be used. During the public hearing, multiple community members asked for clearer timelines, the effect on next year’s budget and whether transfer caps between funds apply.
Public comment: Several members of the public pressed the board for details. Robert Bug asked whether a new pool for Westside School was included in the budget, noting money had been appropriated years earlier and asking what happened to it. A district speaker said an earlier $1.5 million allocation had been used to renovate Westside bathrooms; after district review, repairing the existing pool would cost more than $1.5 million and a new, standalone pool was estimated in the presentation at about $40,000,000.
Board action: A motion to approve the resolution (identified in the meeting as resolution number 5) passed by roll call with five yes votes and zero opposition. The chair closed the public hearing and the regular meeting proceeded to other agenda items.
Next steps: If the Department of Local Government approves the district’s request, those appropriated amounts would be available to cover the transportation and education-related needs described by the district. The board did not adopt a spending plan for any particular project as part of this vote.
