BLOOMINGTON, IND. — In its last meeting of the year on Tuesday, December 17, the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Board of School Trustees unanimously adopted Board Resolution 2024-20 to rescind Board Resolution 2024-07, Consolidation of Childs-Templeton Elementary Schools. Board Vice President Erin Cooperman emphasized that a Childs-Templeton merger could still be considered within the larger context of an elementary school redistricting study.
“[Resolution 2024-20] is not intended to eliminate the possibility of merging Childs and Templeton. It is designed to continue the conversation in concert with a comprehensive redistricting plan,” said Cooperman. “The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees may merge Childs and Templeton Elementary schools, should that be determined to be the best course of action as part of a comprehensive redistricting plan. So again, it’s not intended to take the merger off the table, but instead to consolidate these two considerations.”
“I just want to note that we have a very unique district,” said Board President April Hennessey. “…The solution for this [redistricting] may not look like the solution for other places. I just want us to hold that in mind as we move forward.”
Board members discussed their top priorities for the goals of MCCSC redistricting, with consideration to multiple factors. They discussed their continued commitment to balancing socioeconomic status (SES) among schools. They also discussed the report they received in November from external consultant Preston Smith from Business Information Services, which showed Monroe County’s declining school-age population, market factors impacting MCCSC’s declining enrollment, and MCCSC building space utilization that is lower than the national average.
Several board members named balancing socioeconomic status as their top priority for redistricting and achieving cost efficiency as their second priority.
“It seemed like from the presentation Preston Smith gave us that building utilization needs to be discussed and looked at seriously, but I would hope that that wouldn’t be number one on our priority list. I would hope that socioeconomic balance would be,” said Board Member Brandon Shurr.
Board Vice President Erin Cooperman made a distinction between maximizing building space utilization and cost efficiency.
“I wish we could use cost effectiveness instead of space utilization,” said Cooperman. “I assume that the reason for maximizing space utilization is for cost effectiveness, but we’ve talked about some of the ways in which there are other factors besides just strictly building utilization that are going to have a cost impact.”
“I think looking at balancing socioeconomic status, with the close second utilization and/or cost effectiveness,” said Board Member Erin Wyatt. “I just don’t want to be in a place where, if we are seeing a loss in enrollment that has been trending, what that would mean for us financially so that we wouldn’t be able to offer services to the populations that need it the most.”
Following discussion, Hennessey affirmed the Board’s top two priorities in redistricting to MCCSC Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston: balancing socioeconomic status and cost effectiveness.
“As a result of conversation, the board still does value looking at socioeconomic balance as the number one priority, with a close second on cost effectiveness. So I think you can feel comfortable moving forward with that information,” said Board President April Hennessey.
Dr. Winston acknowledged the board’s priorities in redistricting and their rescinding of Board Resolution 2024-07.
“On behalf of our team, thank you for the opportunity to work closely with our community and deeply study and examine what are some viable options,” said Dr. Winston. “I also commend the board on your action this evening.”
MCCSC’s monthly strategic plan update on Equity Goal 4 focused on health and safety measures, presented by Dr. Chris Finley, Executive Director of Coordinated School Services & Strategic Partnerships. The presentation shared the depth of the universal services, targeted strategies, and intensive interventions used to meet students’ social and emotional and physical health needs. The presentation also included an overview of programs, procedures, and staff training to continually monitor and enhance school safety.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Winston recognized Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer for her eight years of service, in acknowledgement of her last meeting. Several board members acknowledged their appreciation for Fuentes-Rohwer’s expertise and experience.
The Board meeting recording, presentation materials, and past meetings can be viewed on the Board of School Trustees tab at www.mccsc.edu.
The 2025 reorganizational meeting of the MCCSC Board of School Trustees will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the MCCSC Co-Lab located at 553 E Miller Dr, Bloomington, IN 47401. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28 at the same location. Meetings are streamed online on MCCSC’s YouTube channel, linked at www.mccsc.edu.
