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Board approves technology, facilities and food‑service changes as staff outlines system improvements
Summary
The board approved a package of operational items — PowerSchool renewals, chiller replacement, LED scoreboards, food‑service job descriptions and a lot sale — while data and technology leaders described enrollment and transportation automation and new dashboards to support decision‑making.
The South Bend Community School Corporation board approved several operational and capital items at its May 11 meeting while staff presented system improvement work intended to streamline enrollment, transportation and attendance monitoring.
Bo Yen, executive director of data and technology, told trustees his office overhauled the enrollment form and workflows for the 2026 school year, launched a new parent resource page and developed a transportation app that processed nearly 3,000 address‑change requests this year. He said the district also automated letters for chronic absenteeism (about 6,797 three‑day notices and 3,300 eight‑day notices to date) and built dashboards to track route efficiency and counselor tools to monitor graduation progress.
Board members noted the systems work supports broader goals around attendance and graduation, and urged staff to make assumptions and expected results explicit as the district moves to outcome‑based contracting for some vendors.
On action items the board approved a special purchase of a chiller and pump replacement for Jefferson Intermediate from Train US, Inc. for $841,849 (item 9.05) and a PowerSchool license and subscription renewal covering the student information system and related services (item 9.06). Both items passed by unanimous votes reported in the record.
The board also approved changes to food‑service staffing as the district moves to an insourced management model (item 9.07), awarding new job descriptions and authorizing postings to onboard necessary roles. Staff said some positions mirror roles previously provided by Chartwells and will enable continuity during the transition.
Trustees approved a $650,000 contract for LED video scoreboards at three high schools (item 9.09), describing the purchase as part of a broader recruitment and branding strategy; staff committed to provide a lifecycle cost and maintenance projection. The board also approved the sale of two vacant lots near Hay Elementary to Hebrew Day Schools for $60,000 (item 9.10).
Votes at a glance - 9.05: Chiller & pump replacement at Jefferson — approved $841,849 (reported unanimous vote). - 9.06: PowerSchool renewal — approved (reported unanimous vote). - 9.07: Food & nutrition job descriptions (insourcing) — approved (reported 5–1). - 9.09: LED scoreboards — approved $650,000 (reported unanimous vote). - 9.10: Sale of two vacant lots near Hay Elementary — approved $60,000 (reported unanimous vote).
What happens next: Facilities will provide project timelines and warranty/lifecycle cost analyses for capital purchases; Technology will finalize PowerSchool billing and migration schedules; Food & Nutrition will post positions and report on recruitment and transition timelines.
