Board member Joe Basham briefed the Silver Creek board on several state bills, including a failed classroom '10 Commandments' bill, a bill affecting how school board candidates' party affiliations are listed, and a proposed statewide cell-phone policy with no dedicated funding; board members expressed concern about local costs and the complexity of school funding.
Following an incident in which a student was struck leaving campus, board members described continuing safety concerns tied to upcoming Highway 31 construction and discussed options including contracted law enforcement to assist at arrival and dismissal.
The board unanimously approved agenda revisions, Jan. 26 minutes, the consent agenda (updated donations and a robotics trip), the retirement-advisory-vendor agreement, and a contract settlement related to food services; all recorded votes were 5-0.
School officials previewed an expanded College & Career Day set for April 9 with about 60 breakout sessions, 65 vendors and keynote Don Wettrick; the meeting also included music, athletics and academic recognitions and a list of community sponsors.
The Silver Creek School Corporation board unanimously approved switching employee retirement-advisory services to Shepherd/Sheffield Financial Services after a year-long review, a move officials said will reduce employee fees and provide more retirement education; district said there is no cost to the district budget.
CFO Dr. Balmer told the Silver Creek School Corporation board that 2025 investment earnings totaled $1,143,866.17 and outlined fiscal risks — rising circuit‑breaker losses, possible loss of local income tax and property‑tax sharing with charter schools — while the board elected officers and approved routine minutes and the consent agenda.
The board approved personnel items including hiring Steven Stanley as varsity head football coach (start date 01/13/2026) and Blake Hannon as varsity boys soccer coach; emergency agenda revisions also updated position-control numbers and approved an overnight IMEA Honor Band trip.
Students from Silver Creek High School’s Academy of Finance placed at regional Business Professionals of America events and qualified for the state leadership conference in Indianapolis; several students also have prior national-level placements.
The board approved a resolution authorizing steps to refinance the Building Corporation's 2016 property-tax refunding bonds; administration said refinancing could occur in March and may yield roughly $300,000+ in savings for West Clark taxpayers if other related boards also approve.
At its annual reorganization meeting, the Silver Creek School Corporation board elected Chris Rountree president, approved Christie Franklin as vice president and Scott Grown as secretary, reappointed the school attorney and treasurer team, and kept board compensation at prior levels.
