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New Castle school board approves up to $170,000 for music storage barn, adopts handbooks and approves fund transfer
Summary
At its May 11 meeting, the New Castle Community School Board of Trustees approved up to $170,000 for a music storage barn, adopted 2026–27 middle- and high-school handbooks, approved a transfer from the education fund to the operations fund and recognized new principals and several retirees.
The New Castle Community School Board of Trustees on May 11 approved up to $170,000 for a music storage barn for NCMS and NCHS, adopted middle- and high-school handbooks for 2026–27 and approved an intra-fund transfer, with all motions passing unanimously, 3-0.
President Seth Lee called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and the board conducted routine business before moving through new-business items. Jaci Hadsell made the motion to add the NCMS/NCHS music barn to the agenda; it was seconded by Jamey Marcum and approved 3-0. Other routine items approved earlier in the meeting included travel reports, monthly personnel matters, the bill list, payroll claims, donations and field-trip requests.
Superintendent Matthew Shoemaker announced administrative appointments: Kim Nicholson was approved as principal at New Castle High School and Molly Bates as assistant principal at NCHS. The board also recognized a group of long-serving employees who are retiring, including Jennifer Alspaugh (30 years), Amy Maddy (31 years), Kimberly Mathis (32 years), Jennifer McGowan (33 years), Martha McGrew (12.5 years), Kristi Williamson (33 years) and Elizabeth Witham (37 years).
On policy and student rules, the board approved the 2026–27 handbooks for New Castle Middle School and New Castle High School (motion by Jamey Marcum; second by Jaci Hadsell; carried 3-0) and completed a first reading of several updated policies, including A200 (Firearms, Weapons and Destructive Devices), A275 (School Wellness), A300 (Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Use), A301 (Wireless Communication Device Policy) and others listed for further consideration.
The music storage barn was presented as a capital request and the board approved it "as presented, not to exceed $170,000" (motion by Jaci Hadsell; second by Jamey Marcum; carried 3-0). The transcript listed the amount with a typographic symbol; the board record indicates the intended cap is $170,000.
On finance matters, the board voted to approve a transfer from the education fund to the operations fund as presented (motion by Jaci Hadsell; second by Jamey Marcum; carried 3-0). The transcript did not specify the transfer amount; the board record states the transfer was approved "as presented." There were no public questions or comments, and the meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Votes at a glance: approve agenda (amended) — motion Hadsell, second Marcum; carried 3-0; approve April 13 minutes — motion Marcum, second Hadsell; carried 3-0; approve routine consent items — motion Hadsell, second Marcum; carried 3-0; approve handbooks — motion Marcum, second Hadsell; carried 3-0; approve NCMS/NCHS music storage barn (not to exceed $170,000) — motion Hadsell, second Marcum; carried 3-0; approve transfer from education fund to operations fund — motion Hadsell, second Marcum; carried 3-0.
The board heard updates on facilities work (multipurpose restrooms finishing, NCCC roof and track resurfacing scheduled for June, fence north of Neal Field) and a superintendent slide report summarizing recent school events and student programs. The board did not take further action on the first-reading policies during this meeting; those items remain at first reading for future consideration.
