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Board approves Head Start contract, weekly early-release resolution and consent agenda; public raises start-time and fiscal concerns
Summary
The School City of Hammond board approved a Head Start contract (Feb. 1, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027), passed Resolution 25-26-006 to implement weekly early-release Wednesdays (pending state waiver under Indiana Code 20-30-2-2), and approved consent agenda items including an accounts-payable docket; public commenters urged later high-school start times and greater fiscal transparency.
At its March 17 meeting the School City of Hammond Board of Trustees took multiple formal actions.
Head Start agreement: Trustees voted to approve a Head Start contract between Geminus Corporation and the district for Feb. 1, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027. Trustee Spencer moved to approve the agreement; Trustee Candelaria seconded and the motion carried by roll call (Trustee Stanford: Yes; Trustee Spencer: Yes; Trustee Guerra: Yes; Trustee Candelaria: Yes; Trustee Blake King: Yes).
Early-release resolution: The board read and approved Resolution No. 25-26-006 to institute weekly early-release Wednesdays beginning with the 2026–27 school year to allow professional development, with planned dismissal times "on or about" 12:15 p.m. for high school students, 1:00 p.m. for middle school and 1:45 p.m. for elementary students. The resolution states the district will seek a waiver from Indiana Code 20-30-2-2; Trustee Candelaria read the resolution into the record and the motion to adopt (moved by Trustee Spencer, seconded by Trustee Candelaria) carried by roll call (all listed trustees voting yes).
Consent agenda and minutes: The board approved executive-session minutes and meeting minutes from Feb. 3 and Feb. 17, 2026. The consent agenda (items A–F) was approved; accounts-payable claims totaled $1,850,285.75 and payroll totaled $2,653,217.66 as read into the record.
Public comment: During two public-expression periods, speakers urged later high-school start times citing research on adolescent sleep and academic benefits, asked for greater transparency on district finances and consultant use, and praised Morton athletics and the Team Hammond 71 Robotics program. Commenters also raised safety and transportation concerns related to shifting start times in winter months.
Next steps: The board scheduled a public work session March 24 (state of the district) and additional meetings in April; the district said it will publish calendars for 2026–27 and 2027–28 before spring break.
