Carmel Clay Schools board meeting, date not confirmed yet

2 h 00 min

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What happened

What happened at this meeting

Carmel Clay board adopts 2027 budget and approves teachers association contract 16:43

  • The board approved the 2026⁠-⁠2027 contract with the Carmel Teachers Association by a vote of 5 to 0. 16:43
  • The board also approved a fund transfer resolution, its 2027 meeting dates and new course proposals, each 5 to 0. 1:07:05
  • Board members discussed changing the meeting agenda format, and one board member suggested bringing the proposed change back at the next meeting. 1:09:26

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Item by item (13)
  1. Opening and roll call 5:02
    • Jon Shapiro called the meeting to order, and a speaker reported that all board members were present. 5:02
    • Jon Shapiro led the Pledge of Allegiance and read the district mission statement. 5:07
  2. Spotlight on excellence recognition 5:07
    • A district staff member recognized two students in a spotlight on excellence on student heroism and community courage. 5:33
    • A speaker thanked 2 teachers for a 7th grade wellness unit and said it gave students the knowledge and confidence to react in a real-life emergency. 9:00
  3. Public comment and consent agenda 11:04
    • Jon Shapiro said no one had signed up for public comment. 11:04
    • The consent agenda included the personnel report, claims, payroll, gift applications, change orders for Carmel High School and Cherry Tree Elementary School projects, and minutes from September meetings. 12:56
    • Kristina Wheeler moved to approve the consent agenda as a group. 13:46
    • The motion carried 5 to 0. 14:03
  4. Teachers association contract 14:03
    • Jon Shapiro opened the floor for public comment on the contract and noted there were no comments. 14:03
    • A district staff member said the parties agreed to two scenarios: one with no bargained salary increase or increment, and one with a 2% increase in the salary schedules plus increment, a 1% stipend for teachers at the top of the schedule, an additional $200 per year for teachers with a literacy endorsement and an 8% increase in teachers' share of insurance premiums. 14:46
    • Kristin Kouka moved to approve the contract, and Kristina Wheeler thanked the district team and the Carmel Teachers Association for reaching an agreement. 15:47
    • The motion carried 5 to 0. 17:00
  5. Item 17:00
    • A district staff member said the board held a public hearing on the budget at the October 7th meeting and that the budget goes to the state for approval and takes effect January 1st. 17:13
    • A district staff member said costs for next year included a 4% increase of about $1.5 million, a $2 million deficit, an 8% insurance premium increase of $1.2 million and an additional million dollars for the teachers' retirement fund, on a budget of $165 million. 18:58
    • Asked by Greg Brown about reserves, a district staff member said the cash balance is just under 12% and recommended a first goal of 16%, not more than 24%. 32:57
    • The board adopted the 2027 budget, the capital projects plan and the bus replacement plan 5 to 0. 1:03:31
  6. Education fund to operations fund transfer 1:03:44
    • A district staff member said the annual transfer moves money to the operations fund to follow non-classroom expenses such as utilities, custodians and maintenance. 1:03:56
    • Greg Brown noted the amount was about $500,000 less than 2026, and a district staff member confirmed it was lower. 1:05:01
    • The motion carried 5 to 0. 1:07:05
  7. 2027 board meeting dates 1:07:05
    • Jon Shapiro said the dates had been checked to avoid conflicts with holidays, school breaks and the first day of school, and Jennifer Cashin moved to approve them. 1:07:05
    • The motion carried 5 to 0. 1:08:03
  8. New high school course proposals 1:08:03
    • A district staff member recommended approval of new courses for the 2027⁠-⁠2028 program of studies at the high school. 1:08:11
    • Jennifer Cashin thanked high school staff and described a school visit where the new courses were discussed. 1:08:48
    • The motion carried 5 to 0. 1:09:26
  9. Board meeting agenda format 1:09:26
    • One board member outlined suggestions to rename action items as old business, rename discussion as new business and add board member comments, and said bylaws would need review. 1:09:26
    • One board member said they strongly support the change, and another board member asked the board to keep the focus on student outcomes. 1:12:42
    • One board member offered to review the bylaws and present updates at a future meeting, and another board member suggested bringing the proposed change at the next meeting. 1:26:28
  10. Student data report 1:28:48
    • A district staff member presented state test results and said the district ranked first in English language arts compared with other Indiana districts, while achievement gaps remain for some student groups. 1:29:00
    • Greg Brown asked what the district can do to close gaps between schools. 1:37:41
    • A district staff member said the 3 Title I schools have several reading intervention teachers and 2 social workers who work with students and families. 1:40:52
  11. Monthly financial update 1:47:21
    • A district staff member said the rainy day fund has about a $9.5 million balance and noted a $2 million transfer to that fund. 1:48:17
    • One board member asked that the rainy day fund be shown separately, and a district staff member said one purchase order of about $63,000 is connected to the fund and that it is not used without the board's approval. 1:51:37
  12. Superintendent's report 1:55:05
    • The superintendent said the district was ranked the number 1 school district in Indiana in the 2027 Niche ratings. 1:55:05
    • The superintendent said all 15 schools earned the Project Adam Heart Safe School designation and that 65 Carmel High School students were recognized as National Merit semifinalists. 1:55:05
  13. Announcements and adjournment 1:59:34
    • Jon Shapiro announced a workshop session on November 4th, a regular session on November 18th and a December meeting on Wednesday, December 9th. 1:59:34
    • The meeting adjourned at 7:55. 2:00:16

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

Who spoke

Who spoke

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Video: posted by the district as “10-21-2026 CCS School board Meeting”