Holcomb Board approves nonresident policy, hears budget shortfall and Wiley Elementary repair plans

The Holcomb Board of Education met in December and approved a technical change to its nonresident-student policy that moves the application window to Jan. 1–June 15, with the policy set to take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The board also approved monthly warrants, accepted a $500 donation from Equity Bank for school clothing closets, and approved three requests for early graduation.

Superintendent Dr. Myers told the board the district faces a notable fiscal challenge tied to a roughly $580,000 decrease in funding and headcount shifts. "We're working on it," he said, calling the package of possible responses a three-pronged approach: absorb vacated positions where feasible, cut discretionary general-fund spending (he said about $40,000 in discretionary cuts has been earmarked), and, if necessary as a stopgap, place some salaries in capital outlay temporarily while working to remove them later. He emphasized the district will seek to restore positions if enrollment rebounds and that some additional state per-pupil base aid increases could reduce the shortfall.

Board members heard several cost estimates for campus repairs at Wiley Elementary. Dr. Myers said six window units need immediate attention and estimated a reinstall to cost about $18,000 versus $30,000 to replace. He described a phased roof-replacement option for Wiley (the building has about 500 "squares") and discussed doing two phases per year over several years to limit up-front expense. Dr. Myers said the numbers represent early estimates for planning and that the district will solicit more detailed bids before committing to large expenditures.

Students from the Team Cuisine elective presented prepared dishes and explained classroom learning connections to math and career skills. "We began by dicing tomatoes, green chilies, and taco seasoning...that was then cooked for about six hours, then shredded," said 8th-grader Natalie Keltner as she described the meal preparation. Alexis White, another 8th-grade student, described how the class uses recipes and conversions in everyday math.

The board moved to enter a 20-minute executive session including Dr. Myers and principals as needed, later reconvened and adjourned the public meeting. Routine items on the consent agenda and the monthly warrants totaling approximately $172,604.71 were approved by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

What happens next: Dr. Myers said district staff will continue refining budget options and return with more details. The strategic-plan process also moves forward: the district reported 144 stakeholder surveys completed so far and scheduled community focus-group work and follow-up meetings in February. The board will consider plan adoption after the data-gathering phase.