Monroe County board elects officers, raises annual pay and confirms key appointments at organizational meeting

The Monroe County Board of School Trustees reorganized at its annual meeting, electing Mr. Kerr as president, Jimmy Durnell as vice president and Larry DeMoss as secretary. The board unanimously approved a $1,000 increase to annual board compensation, raising the annual stipend to $3,000 while retaining statutory per‑meeting per diems.

The pay change followed a presentation by Speaker 5, who reviewed the statutory cap and the board’s current practice. "The maximum is 4,700," the speaker said, citing a 10 percent cap based on the lowest starting teacher salary of $47,000, and added, "Your current annual compensation has been set at 2,000 . . . I would recommend an increase of 1000, make the total $3,000 for the annual compensation, which is still well under the maximum." Board members voiced support for the modest increase and approved it by voice vote.

The board voted to retain Ferguson Law as the school corporation’s legal counsel, a choice Speaker 5 described as continuity with an established advisor. "I would recommend Ferguson Law, to continue as our corporation legal counsel," Speaker 5 said, noting longstanding service. The motion to reappoint Ferguson Law was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The meeting also confirmed several finance and administrative appointments. Debbie Tate was retained as corporation treasurer and Robin May was appointed deputy treasurer; both appointments were recommended by Speaker 5, who noted expanded financial duties and coordination with outside consultants. The board set $100,000 in bond coverage per person for the treasurer, deputy treasurer and ECA treasurer, approving the continued bond level used in prior years.

Speaker 1 presented a slate of external board assignments — including athletic council membership, the Aylesville Park Board, the Monroe County Redevelopment Commission, an Aylesville town representative and the board’s legislative liaison to the Indiana School Boards Association — and the board approved the appointments collectively.

Board members also reaffirmed the corporation’s bylaws and policies (including Neola policy updates) and appointed the board itself as the local board of finance; the board scheduled the local board of finance meeting for Jan. 20 at 6:00 p.m., with the regular meeting to follow. Speaker 5 noted the 2026 meeting calendar had been approved at the December meeting and posted online.

The meeting ended with brief remarks thanking staff and volunteers involved in meeting logistics and technology. The board adjourned without further action.