The Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education took steps Tuesday evening to address aging facilities, technology needs, and student services, and approved several personnel recommendations and policy updates during its June 2 meeting.
The board’s most significant action came during a public hearing on a proposed long-term facilities improvement plan that could provide up to $6.46 million in funding over the next decade for infrastructure, technology, and safety upgrades throughout the district.
District officials outlined plans for an initial borrowing of approximately $2.265 million through General Obligation Bonds to fund a variety of projects, including student and staff device replacements, classroom technology upgrades, roofing projects, HVAC improvements, auditorium lighting upgrades, phone system improvements, and security enhancements.
Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna told board members that the projects are designed to proactively address aging infrastructure, including roofing systems more than 30 years old, while avoiding more costly emergency repairs in the future. District administrators emphasized that the financing authorization represents a maximum borrowing amount and does not require the district to utilize the entire $6.46 million.
Representatives from Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors and Ice Miller Public Finance reviewed the proposed financing structure and projected taxpayer impact. Based on current estimates, the owner of a $100,000 home would see an annual increase of approximately $37, while a median-valued home within the district would experience an estimated annual increase of about $103.
Following the hearing, the board unanimously approved the Project Resolution, Preliminary Bond Resolution, and Reimbursement Resolution, allowing the district to move forward with the next phase of the financing process.
Earlier in the meeting, Director of Technology Dustin Shadbolt, along with Olivia Shutes and Cole Gergely, presented information regarding the development of a district Artificial Intelligence policy. The presentation focused on the growing role of AI in education and the district’s efforts to establish guidelines for the responsible use of emerging technology by students and staff.
The board also approved several personnel recommendations. Members accepted the resignations of mathematics teacher Brynn Heyer and special education teacher Kristin Arnone. The board then approved the hiring of Richard Cook as a Tier II custodian pending a background check, Austin Sandel as the district’s new Band Director, and Dianne Skinner as an English teacher. Sandel will receive a base salary of $49,000 plus the district’s Instrumental Music stipend, while Skinner’s base salary was approved at $62,000.
Additional personnel actions included approving Kathy Jackson to provide temporary instructional coverage during a staff leave this fall and authorizing contracts with Edunuity LLC and Sunny Nook Services LLC to provide psychoeducational evaluation services through Clinton-Carroll Joint Services.
Board members also approved the hiring of Shannon Harman of the Northern Indiana Educational Service Center as a consultant for the Department of Student Services. Harman will assist the district in meeting state requirements for comprehensive educational and career services programs.
Policy updates occupied another portion of the meeting. The board reviewed a revised Student Artificial Intelligence Use Policy as a first reading and approved several policy revisions on second reading, including updates concerning public records, educational records, student discipline, police relations, and investigations involving law enforcement. The board also approved a new policy addressing wireless device prohibitions.
In other business, the board accepted $360 in donations received in memory of former district custodial employee Nancy Goyer. Members also approved moving the July board meeting from July 7 to July 14 and authorized transportation support for Clinton County Special Olympics athletes traveling to the Indiana State Summer Games in Terre Haute.
The board established July 1 as the deadline for transfer student applications for the 2026-27 school year and approved grade-level enrollment capacities as required under Indiana law. Members also approved several additional fundraising activities for the Rossville baseball program, including hosting the Greater Lafayette World Series and operating a Dairy Bar during the Indiana State Fair.
The meeting concluded with reports on upcoming student field trips, summer activities, and staff professional development opportunities. All action items presented during the meeting received unanimous approval from the board.
The Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m.