New Castle school board approves 2027–28 calendar, Chromebook purchase, emergency MOU and fund transfer

The New Castle Community School Board of Trustees approved a slate of routine and substantive items at its March 9 meeting, including the district’s 2027–28 school calendar, a Chromebook purchase for the 2026–27 year, an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding with the Henry County Office of Emergency Management, and a transfer between operational funds.

The meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. and the board took no public comments on agenda items. President Seth Lee presided; all four board members were present. Jaci Hadsell moved to approve the 2027–28 school calendar as presented; Josh Estelle seconded the motion, which passed 4–0.

The board next approved routine consent items — travel, monthly personnel actions, the bill list, payroll claims, donations and field trip requests — on a 4–0 vote after a motion from Josh Estelle and a second from Jaci Hadsell.

Also approved was the district’s planned Chromebook purchase for the 2026–27 school year. Nan Polk moved to approve the purchase; Jaci Hadsell seconded and the motion carried 4–0. The minutes record the approval but do not specify the purchase amount or vendor.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Henry County Office of Emergency Management. Josh Estelle moved for approval; Jaci Hadsell seconded and the motion carried 4–0. The minutes do not include the MOU’s terms.

On budget matters the board approved a transfer from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund as presented. Jaci Hadsell moved to approve the transfer with a second from Josh Estelle; the motion carried 4–0. The minutes record the transfer but do not specify the dollar amount.

Several agenda items were adjusted before votes. Superintendent Matthew Shoemaker told the board that policy D100, listed as a final reading, was changed to a first reading with the changes indicated; the board did not vote on the policy at the meeting.

The board adjourned at 7:01 p.m.