On Tuesday, March 24, the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) Board of School Trustees heard updates on MCCSC finances, bond-funded building and renovation projects, and the redistricting study, among other topics. The Board also held a public hearing on the potential sale of the MCCSC property at 1900 S. Walnut Street, the former Herald-Times location.
During the hearing, there was no public comment. Board members then discussed their perspectives and the results of the 400-response public survey on the property’s future. After discussion, Board members unanimously voted to move forward in the necessary steps to begin the sale of the property and hire a broker. Board members cited several reasons for their decision, including the impacts of state legislation on MCCSC finances, and the potentially high cost to renovate the property.
“The influx of the money from selling this building is not the motivating factor,” said Board Vice President Ross Grimes. “To me, the motivating factor is money we would have to commit to make that building what it needs to become is going to potentially severely limit our ability to do other things within the district over the next several years.”
The school corporation will publish a public notice of intent to sell the property within 30 days.
Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston and Dr. Jeffry Henderson, assistant superintendent of human resources and operations, then shared the first quarterly update on the Designing and Building to Sustain Excellence initiative — a long-term investment in enhancing academic, artistic, athletic, and performing arts spaces and making upgrades in technology, transportation, and safety.
“Our community, our educators and our employees want to have a better understanding of how different dollars are being utilized across our corporation—” said Winston. “How we are able to provide updated facilities across our corporation that are necessary to be able to retain and recruit students into our school corporation, but also to provide quality learning experiences throughout all of our buildings and facilities for our students.”
Henderson shared photos and construction progress of the Bloomington High School North (BHSN) tennis courts, the Bloomington High School South soccer field, and the BHSN parking and athletic improvement project. The projects are bond-financed, and use zero dollars from Referendum, Education or Operations funds that support students, teaching, and day-to-day operations.
Dr. Tim Dowling, director of early learning and enrollment, shared an update on the MCCSC redistricting study. Dowling’s presentation shared commission member feedback on the study process.
“Our approach was always … what can we learn from these redistricting scenarios … that would apply universally to MCCSC?” said Dowling. “We never viewed it through the lens of which maps stood out among the others. It was about trying to gain as much insight about your two Board priorities and the community considerations.”
Dowling and MCCSC leaders are now working to compile the study findings to share with the Board this spring for their consideration.
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.