Southwestern Board holds public hearing on proposed 2025 budget; approves bus contract rate, construction change order and personnel slate

The Southwestern Board of Trustees held a public hearing on the proposed 2025 budget and reviewed the capital projects plan and school bus replacement plan, then moved to regular business and approved several motions, including a negotiated contract rate for bus contractors, a construction change order and a slate of personnel actions.

Miss Bold opened the hearing, saying the meeting was required by Indiana statute so "the public can ask questions on or provide any comments concerning the 2025 budget as I have proposed." She told the board the budget documents, the capital projects plan and the bus replacement plan had been posted and advertised in late September so taxpayers had a chance to review them before adoption. "I always advertise high," she said, explaining the board advertises a higher rate to leave room to lower it later rather than risk under‑advertising.

On figures discussed during the hearing, Miss Bold reviewed advertised amounts for the education, debt service and operations funds and said she had advertised a debt‑service tax rate of 30 cents and an operations rate of $2; she told the board the materials would be presented again at a board meeting and noted additional scheduling to meet statutory posting timelines.

During the regular agenda the board recorded and approved routine business including minutes, the treasurer's report and acceptance of numerous donations to school programs and athletics. On transportation, the board approved a sorority shuttle request for Oct. 18 with driver Brian Craftton.

Contracts and transportation: staff reported they had met with contracted bus drivers and negotiated a two‑year extension of existing contracts. "We come to an agreement of $4.99 per mile for the new per mile rate," a staff presenter said; the board voted to approve contracts prepared at that rate for the 2025‑26 and 2026‑27 school years.

Technology and personnel: the board approved an updated Chromebook policy intended to clarify device loss and recovery procedures after staff reported early‑term device losses and follow‑up steps taken by the district. The board also approved a package of personnel items including resignations, an unpaid parental leave request, maternity‑leave substitutes and new hires and wage adjustments in maintenance and after‑school programs after clarifications about which substitute would cover which leave.

Construction change order: the board considered and approved change orders related to ongoing construction work in an equipment room. Staff said crews encountered an existing slab and an undersized, leaking surge tank that required additional demolition and new concrete work; staff asked that the board authorize payment and use rainy‑day funds to avoid further project delays. Board members asked whether the repairs addressed potential wash‑out and structural concerns; staff said the work was intended to stop future issues and would remain under the project's warranty.

Facilities and procurement: the board approved purchasing half of the cafeteria stool/tables after reviewing four quotes and discussing material quality and color options. The board discussed and then tabled a broader locker‑room renovation package to allow staff to combine separate bids (lockers, benches, flooring, etc.) into a single solicitation and to assess athletic‑fund contributions before moving forward.

Professional development: the board reviewed and approved multiple staff conference requests (including principal and assistant‑principal conferences and several virtual trainings), discussed costs and substitute staffing and noted the approvals are recorded for state audit purposes.

The superintendent briefly reported on parent‑teacher conferences and the district's calendar; the board confirmed upcoming meetings for Oct. 21 at 5:00 p.m. and Nov. 25 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting record shows motions carried by voice vote on advertised budget items, contracts, policies, personnel, change orders and procurement; formal tallies by member name were not stated in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes) - Close public hearing on 2025 budget: approved by voice vote (motion made and seconded). - Approve minutes and treasurer's report: approved. - Accept listed donations to school programs: approved. - Approve sorority shuttle on Oct. 18 (driver Brian Craftton): approved. - Approve two‑year bus contract extension at $4.99 per mile (2025‑26 and 2026‑27): approved. - Approve updated Chromebook policy: approved. - Approve personnel slate (resignations, leaves, substitutes, hires and wage adjustments): approved. - Approve construction change orders for equipment room/surge tank repairs (funding from rainy‑day funds): approved. - Approve purchase of half the cafeteria stool/tables from vendor quoted by Mr. Owens: approved. - Table locker room renovation bids for additional review and combined solicitation: motion to table approved. - Approve multiple staff conference requests: approved.

What happens next: the board will present the budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan again at a future meeting ahead of the formal adoption vote; the transcript lists Oct. 23 at 5:00 p.m. as a meeting to present again and also references an Oct. 21 meeting date to meet posting requirements. The board will resume consideration of tabled facilities items after staff compiles combined bids and funding clarifications.

Quoted from the meeting: "Indiana's state statute requires that we hold an open meeting so the public can ask questions..." (Miss Bold). "We come to an agreement of $4.99 per mile for the new per mile rate," (staff presenter on bus contracts).