At its Board of School Trustees meeting on Tuesday, February 24, the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) presented its update 12 months into the 2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance & Sustain Excellence — sharing evidence of financial progress while maintaining high-quality education.
Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin reported that MCCSC’s fund balances remain positive through 2028 projections, but significant funding challenges remain. In Indiana, the state funds public school education and instruction based on the number of students enrolled — so as MCCSC’s enrollment has declined by nearly 1,000 students since 2019-20, the corporation has received an estimated $30.9 million less for instruction than it would have at its prior enrollment levels. In addition, new state legislation — Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA) — is projected to reduce MCCSC’s funding by an additional $30 million through 2031. This will impact MCCSC’s day-to-day operations on top of the instructional impact.
“To respond to these current and future funding reductions, we must look closely at every aspect of our school corporation,” said Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston. “First and foremost, we will continue to pursue ways to become more efficient — from how we purchase supplies to how we structure our operations — to protect and prioritize classroom instruction.”
The corporation shared evidence to demonstrate how educational quality has been maintained and will continue to be maintained as MCCSC moves forward in its strategy. Since 2019, the average student-to-certificated staff ratio in grades K-12 has increased by less than one student. The elementary class size average is 22, an increase of only one student since 2024. In addition, the majority of all classrooms are at or below Board approved student-to-teacher ratios (84% of all Pre-K-6 classrooms; 83% of all multi-grade classrooms; nearly 75% of all secondary classrooms).
Winston shared her confidence in achieving financial sustainability while protecting classroom instruction and student learning experiences. “We will continue to offer strong STEAM programs, musical, visual and performing arts programs, extracurriculars, early learning, global learning, college and career pathways, and a wide variety of academic programs and experiences,” she said. “When resources are tight, innovation is what will carry us forward. Our team will find new ways to deliver excellent academic opportunities for our students — today and for years to come.”
Winston also addressed the local economic challenges facing Bloomington, and the role MCCSC can play in contributing to economic vitality.
“The very things that make families choose MCCSC — those are the things we have to protect. Our schools aren’t just responding to this economy. We can help strengthen it. Strong communities build strong schools. Great schools attract families. Families grow communities. Our schools are a vital part of the economic engine of our community. That’s the role we play.”
Winston shared further evidence of maintaining high-quality education by affirming how MCCSC continues to keep its promises to the community on how referenda dollars are spent. Bond-funded facility improvements reinforce that commitment — ensuring referendum, education, and operational dollars stay focused on students and schools. Details at mccsc.edu/everydollar.
Dr. Jeffry Henderson, assistant superintendent of human resources and operations, provided the Board with an overview of MCCSC staffing principles used in the continual evaluation of staffing practices corporation-wide. Henderson said the principles ensure decisions are student-centered, educationally sound and financially sustainable.
Henderson also shared results from the community survey and public forum about the former Herald-Times property, purchased in 2022. He noted that under Indiana law, any sale proceeds would be deposited into the MCCSC Operations Fund and could not be used for teacher wages and benefits. The Board has not made a final decision on the property. To assist the Board in decision-making, Board President Erin Cooperman requested that the corporation begin the statutory process required under Indiana law (Indiana Code 5-3-1), including posting a public notice and holding a hearing.
The community is invited to follow MCCSC’s progress in its 2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance at mccsc.edu/strategy.
A video recording of the Board meeting and links to presentations can be viewed on the Board of School Trustees tab at www.mccsc.edu.