Board approves consent agenda, budget items and multiple policy and contract actions; seeks clarity on grant balances

The Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation board handled a series of standard and substantive business items in its June meeting, approving minutes and claims, setting enrollment deadlines and capacities, accepting revised handbooks and approving a superintendent contract addendum.

Consent and payroll: The board approved the consent agenda, which included May minutes and treasury reports. Mr. Dural presented gross wage figures for May pay periods during the meeting; because portions of the spoken totals were unclear in the record, administration should be consulted for exact voucher and payroll totals.

Enrollment and capacities: The board set the transfer‑student deadline for the 2027–28 school year as May 21, 2027, and set accepted classroom capacities by grade (for example, K–2 at 24:1 and grades 3–5 at 27:1) with special Journey classroom ratios noted. Those numbers reflect schoolboard policy reference in the packet.

Policies and handbooks: Administration presented Neola policy volume 38, number 2, and related handbook edits. The board held a first reading of a student cell‑phone policy to comply with Indiana Code 20‑26‑5‑40.7 and directed staff to return final language in July. The corporation and building handbooks were approved after review and consolidation.

Contracts and agreements: The board approved a fifth amendment to the superintendent’s contract that increases the superintendent’s annual salary to $158,000 and approved an annual dual‑credit (ACP) agreement with Indiana University to continue college‑credit opportunities for high‑school students. A proposed SEEDS agreement with Indiana University was tabled for later action.

Budget outlook: Business manager Debbie Tate reported a projected operations‑fund deficit of roughly $500,000 and an education‑fund shortfall of about $900,000, with combined cash balances discussed (administration cited approximately $1.5 million across funds). Administration said a September baseline—after a full month of payroll for new hires—will provide firmer numbers and that staff are identifying savings measures.

Why it matters: The combination of new recurring personnel costs funded by time‑limited grants and the district’s multi‑year budget pressures prompted board members to request written grant balance reports and clearer links between positions and long‑term district funding.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved (voice vote), transfer deadline set (voice vote), transfer capacities approved (voice vote), status‑quo classified employee agreements approved (voice vote), holiday guideline revision approved (voice vote), handbooks approved (voice vote), superintendent contract addendum approved (voice vote), Indiana University dual‑credit agreement approved (voice vote); SEEDS agreement tabled.

Next steps: Administration to provide detailed grant balance information, a staffing/organizational chart and an updated budget projection by September.