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Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation board meeting, Sep 14, 2026

1 h 08 min

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 1 h 08 min.

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What happened

What happened at this meeting

Penn-Harris-Madison board adopts 2027 budget and resolutions on 6⁠-⁠0 vote 52:30

  • The board voted 6 to 0 to authorize planning and preparation for a middle school student teacher trip to Japan in the summer of 2028. 42:35
  • One board member said the plan carried a proposed $3.5 million deficit this year after a $7 million deficit last year, and said they would reluctantly vote for the budget. 46:46
  • The board voted 6 to 0 to adopt the 2027 budgets for the education, operations and debt service funds, along with accompanying resolutions. 51:49

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Item by item (11)
  1. Opening and kindergarten kickoff recognition 15:08
    • The superintendent described an event on Friday, August 21st, at which seniors met kindergartners on the 50-yard line. 16:01
    • The superintendent said the kindergarten kickoff was featured on NBC Nightly News on Saturday, September 5th. 16:35
    • Chris Riley thanked everyone involved in the event. 19:12
  2. Student ambassador report 19:51
    • A student board ambassador from Penn High School reported on school activities, including a game against Elkhart on Friday, October 2nd, and a homecoming dance on Saturday, October 3rd. 20:07
    • The student ambassador said 15 Penn students advanced as National Merit semifinalists. 20:07
  3. Education foundation report 24:47
    • The foundation's executive director said grant funding increased 33%, from $75,000 to $100,000, and that the foundation has disbursed more than $2 million to the district since its founding. 25:08
    • The director said the foundation offered new teachers $500 classroom kickstart grants and funded all 6 applications received. 26:28
    • The director said the foundation would bring a list of proposed grants to the board for approval in November. 32:41
  4. Agenda and minutes 34:29
    • The administration reported no changes to the agenda or to the minutes of the August 3, 2026, August 4, 2026, and August 10, 2026 meetings. 34:43
    • Motions to adopt the agenda and approve the minutes carried unanimously. 34:51
  5. Consent agenda 35:18
    • A district staff member said the administration recommended approval of the consent agenda and listed retirements of classified staff on the personnel report. 35:26
    • The consent agenda was approved by a vote of 6 to 0. 36:34
  6. Middle school trip to Japan 36:54
    • A middle school teacher presented a proposed trip to Japan for July 12th, 2028 through the 21st, open to eligible 6th and 7th grade students. 37:45
    • The teacher said the total cost is $5,599 per student, with payment options and scholarship opportunities through the tour company. 37:45
    • In response to a question, the teacher said each bus has a tour guide who also serves as an interpreter. 42:24
    • The motion to authorize planning and preparation for the trip carried by a vote of 6 to 0. 42:35
  7. 2027 budget and resolutions 43:06
    • A presenter said the administration recommended approval of the 2027 district budget and adoption of the accompanying resolutions, including a 2027 capital projects fund resolution. 43:44
    • One board member said they would reluctantly vote for the budget and asked the administration to relook at building projects, find more revenue and start next year's budget conversation sooner. 46:46
    • A district staff member said the district is funded $1,700 less per student than other districts in the state. 49:56
    • The budget and resolutions were adopted by a vote of 6 to 0. 51:49
  8. Policy revisions on second reading 52:29
    • The board attorney presented 9 revised policies and 1 policy rescission on second reading and said no comments or questions were received after the first reading. 54:29
    • The board attorney said the revisions include a requirement that coaches complete continuing education courses every 2 years and a change so that certified staff to be dismissed in a reduction in force are identified on the basis of performance. 55:02
    • The motion to adopt the revised policies and the rescission carried by a vote of 6 to 0. 57:37
  9. AI-related policies on first reading 58:22
    • The board attorney presented two revised technology policies, 7540.03 and 7540.04, both related to AI. 59:19
    • The board attorney said the student policy requires students to use their own skills when completing schoolwork and to cite AI services used as a supplement. 59:19
    • Chris Riley said the board would take action on the policies at the October 12th meeting. 1:02:09
  10. Public comment and board reports 1:02:57
    • No one came forward to speak during the hearing of visitors. 1:02:57
    • Katie Bell thanked district staff and teachers for teaching students about 9/11 on its 25th anniversary. 1:03:23
    • A speaker reported that the Indiana School Board Association legislative committee calls for a 6% increase in the foundation amount of the tuition support formula and a 10% increase for special education. 1:04:20
  11. Announcements and adjournment 1:06:31
    • The next meeting was announced for October 12th at 6 PM at the Field House. 1:07:11
    • The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM. 1:07:46

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

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Video: posted by the district as “Penn-Harris-Madison Board Meeting 9-14-2026”