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West Noble board hears staffing declines, school construction progress and state teacher‑pay notice
Summary
At its regular meeting the West Noble School Corporation superintendent reported a net reduction of roughly 26 full‑time positions over two years, reviewed ongoing high‑school and cafeteria renovations, and told the board the Indiana Department of Education notified the district that the state minimum teacher salary rose to $45,000 while the district’s negotiated minimum remains $42,000.
The West Noble School Corporation board received an update from Superintendent that the district has reduced total full‑time staff by about 26 positions over the past two years and currently lists roughly 93 operations and 231 education staff.
"We've dropped around 20 positions from certified and classified — 26 total for the last two years," the superintendent said, characterizing the changes as part of a necessary effort to "right‑size" the organization after enrollment shifts.
The superintendent outlined several urgent vacancies, including a speech‑language pathologist for Westville Elementary, two school nurses (elementary and primary), and potential special‑education staffing adjustments tied to an upcoming retirement at West Noble High School. He said the district has some candidates for middle‑school English and other support roles but that recruiting remains difficult for specialized licenses.
Board members and staff also walked through construction progress at the high school and adjacent spaces. Project photos and narration showed filled pits and patched concrete, a cafeteria expansion into a former hallway with skylights for natural light, reconfigured band and choir rooms (including measures to improve acoustics), restroom and dressing‑room plumbing work, and installation planning for a stage lift to provide handicap access.
Andrew, the district project lead referenced in the presentation, said crews are working rapidly and that most work will roll into the new school year rather than finishing over summer.
The superintendent alerted the board to a memo from the Indiana Department of Education School Finance division saying the state minimum teacher salary for the budget biennium increased to $45,000. He said the district must publicize that shortfall and reflect it in the minutes because the district’s negotiated minimum presently remains at $42,000.
Board members asked how many teachers earn below the new state minimum; the superintendent asked for a few minutes to check and later estimated between about 10 and 15 teachers may be impacted. The board discussed tying any movement toward the new minimum to state funding received after the September enrollment count and to forthcoming teacher negotiations.
Why it matters: Staffing levels and compensation affect classroom capacity and district finances. The construction work impacts learning spaces and accessibility for students entering the next school year. The state minimum‑salary notice initiates a public‑record obligation and frames the district’s upcoming negotiations with teachers.
Looking ahead: The superintendent said the district will monitor state funding after count day, continue recruitment for critical positions, and proceed with planned construction as crews allow. A public hearing on a proposed additional appropriation for the rainy day fund — discussed elsewhere on the agenda — was scheduled so the board can finalize any related budget actions.
