MCCSC financially stronger today than one year ago while navigating projected $30M+ impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1
BLOOMINGTON, IN — At MCCSC’s second annual Student Excellence Awards and State of the Schools address, Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston celebrated nearly 100 students honored for outstanding achievement across the corporation’s 23 schools and outlined how MCCSC’s fiscal health is essential to sustaining academic excellence and supporting students. Dr. Winston reported that MCCSC has strengthened its financial position over the past year but also acknowledged that state legislation is projected to reduce corporation funding by more than $30 million through 2031.
“We are financially stronger today than we were one year ago,” said Winston. “My promise tonight is that we will continue to be good stewards of your dollars in support of our children.”
Financial Progress
Winston shared the financial progress MCCSC has made through its two-year strategy, launched in February 2025, to bring spending in line with revenue amid declining enrollment and state funding changes. She cited improved cash balance positions across the corporation’s five major funds as evidence of progress, noting that quarterly updates are available at mccsc.edu/strategy.
Keeping the public informed has been central to the financial strategy, and Winston outlined the new ways the corporation is sharing how public tax dollars are being spent. The corporation launched a new webpage in January to provide the public with ongoing updates on how corporation funds are invested in students and schools, called “Every Dollar, Every Student.” MCCSC also mailed its most recent Referenda Impact Report to households and published it online, showing how referenda dollars are being spent. The report will be published every two years.
Senate Enrolled Act 1
While the corporation has made financial progress, Winston also shared the negative impact that new state legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 1, will have on MCCSC’s finances. The new legislation was enacted after the corporation began its fiscal strategy. It is projected to reduce MCCSC’s funding by more than $30 million from 2026 to 2031—including $3–4 million annually in voter-approved referendum revenue. Winston said MCCSC is “adjusting to this new normal” alongside public school districts across the state.
Fiscal health supports strong classrooms
A second key theme of Winston’s address was academic excellence — one of the Board of School Trustees’ two priorities alongside fiscal balance. Winston emphasized that the two are inseparable and described how MCCSC has aligned instructional systems across all 23 schools to advance student learning. Building on the corporation’s longstanding use of Professional Learning Communities, MCCSC has unified and strengthened these efforts — with Instructional Leadership Teams and every school’s “One Plan” aligned to corporation-wide goals in literacy, numeracy, and college and career readiness.
“Excellence does not happen by chance,” she said. “It is built, intentionally, through strong leadership, sound systems, efficient structures, and a community that believes deeply in public education.”
Student and Teacher Recognition
The awards portion of the ceremony honored outstanding students and student groups from each of the corporation’s 23 schools, recognizing nearly 100 students in total for excellence in areas ranging from STEAM, the arts, and global learning to community impact, determination, entrepreneurship, extracurricular achievement, and college and career readiness.
The event also recognized a Teacher of the Year from each school and Bloomington High School North Principal Matthew Stark as the District 9 Principal of the Year, awarded by the Indiana Association of School Principals. Student leaders Ana Iovino and Abe Corry emceed the awards, which featured live musical performances and a student art exhibition.
