Trustees approved several contracts and policies, voted to cancel a teacher's contract per Indiana statute, and heard a December financial report showing the education fund ended with about $1.38 million while the operations fund and rainy‑day fund remain larger; administration highlighted $4.5 million in recent savings initiatives.
Policy Analytics told the Elkhart Community Schools board that Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 1 will produce large new deductions and credits that reduce the district’s net assessed value and create millions in unfunded credits; without cuts or new revenue the district’s cash balance could be exhausted around 2028.
The Elkhart Community Schools board voted unanimously to approve the superintendent and deputy superintendent contracts taking effect July 1, 2026; a public commenter criticized the proposed superintendent salary and automatic contract extension during the public hearing.
The Elkhart Community Schools board on Jan. 13 approved Michelle Rees as the district's next superintendent, effective July 1, 2026. The board praised her 38-plus years in education and said contract negotiations and a public notice process will follow before ratification.
The board previewed and launched a public finance dashboard, approved a first-step bond resolution authorizing up to $13.73 million for school renovations, and passed multiple routine contracts and resolutions including investment authorization and supplemental-pay provisions.
Ralph Spellbring, a resident of East Jackson, asked the board to add a trolley stop sign at a California Road signal and warned that local school closures could result from funding pressures, citing historical referendums and tax shifts as context.
The board approved the consent agenda (including a $1,000 donation to JROTC), waived a second reading and adopted the 2026–27 calendar revision, authorized fuel contract awards for 2026, and approved transfers to close out the 2025 budget.
At a Dec. board meeting, the district’s finance lead said a $16,000,000 shortfall for the 2026 budget will require significant wage-and-benefit reductions, even if a bond issue moves forward; administrators described $93,000,000 in projected receipts and recent transfers between funds.
At its Dec. 9 meeting the Elkhart Community Schools Board approved the consent agenda (including $2,000 in donations), four contracts, several policy updates, and the 2026–27 school calendar and related agreements; motions carried following standard procedure.
