Corporation to examine reductions through centralized services, programs, and staff to realize savings outside of the classroom
The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Board of School Trustees held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. During the meeting, the Board officially confirmed Aja Jester as its newest member to represent District 7, filling the vacant seat.
Tim Dowling, director of early learning and enrollment, shared an update on MCCSC’s Redistricting Study Commission. As outlined in the Commission’s Charter, the group will work toward identifying the most important aspects that will be used to evaluate redistricting models in MCCSC, in alignment with the Board of School Trustees’ top two priorities. The community is invited to provide input on the same topics discussed by the Commission members at their first meeting via an online survey.
As part of the personnel report, MCCSC announced that Chief Financial Officer John Kenny plans to retire after a 30-year career, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Chris Finley will be departing from his position as executive director of coordinated school services and strategic partnerships to pursue a new professional opportunity.
Board member Ashley Pirani gave her monthly legislative update on bills that will impact K-12 public education policy, governance, and funding. The current legislative session is expected to have an adverse impact on public schools throughout the state. MCCSC is projected to lose approximately $17 million dollars of revenue over the next three years as a result of the passage of SEA 1.
MCCSC Superintendent Markay Winston also shared that the loss in state funding would impact the corporation’s two-year strategy to achieve long-term financial balance.
“The projected reduction in state funding over the next three years will impact our ability to maintain current support services and staffing levels,” said Winston. “Because payroll accounts for approximately 85% of MCCSC’s expenses, these changes from the state will require us to make staffing reductions to achieve long-term financial stability.”
Winston emphasized three main points.
First, while MCCSC is exploring various ways to reduce expenses, the corporation remains deeply committed to ensuring students continue to receive a high-quality education and strong student support.
“While our financial reality may require us to adapt and change how services are delivered, we are committed to the educational excellence our students deserve and our community expects,” said Winston.
Second, the corporation has been prioritizing natural attrition of teachers and staff to reduce payroll expenses, which has resulted in cost savings. Hiring into positions that have been vacated due to retirements and resignations is temporarily paused and decisions will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Third, the administration continues to identify operational efficiencies throughout the corporation. This effort will examine reductions through centralized services, programs, and staff in the coming weeks in an effort to realize savings outside of the classroom as a first priority.
“MCCSC is committed to protecting classroom instruction and student services. Every effort will be made to protect the direct support students receive in their schools,” said Winston.
Winston affirmed that she and her leadership team are taking a thoughtful and studied approach in all decision-making.
“Any changes affecting our staff will be handled with care,” said Winston. “We are in ongoing discussions with the Monroe County Education Association (MCEA), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and building administrators. By making thoughtful and measured choices now, we can achieve long-term financial stability to protect the heart of what we do — serve all of the children within our care. Not just today, but for years to come.”
More information is available at mccsc.edu/strategy.
Information about Board of School Trustees meetings can be found under the Board of School Trustees tab at www.mccsc.edu. The next regular meeting of the Board will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at the MCCSC Co-Lab located at 553 E Miller Dr, Bloomington, IN 47401. Board meetings are streamed online on MCCSC’s YouTube channel, linked at www.mccsc.edu.