The Vincennes Community School Corporation (VCSC) Board of School Trustees held its regular meeting on July 13, 2026.
The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, claims, financial and investment statements, personnel recommendations, resignations, transfers, extra-curricular assignments, and fundraisers.
Personnel Updates
Resignations
The Board reviewed several staff resignations from across the corporation, including Jared Blue, principal of Washington Learning Academy; Jawna Graniti, Franklin Elementary teacher; Whitney Clinton and Darrell Hicklin, teachers at Clark Middle School; Brittany Trueblood, classroom aide at Little Alice Learning Center; Gwen Houpey, instructional aide at Riley Elementary; and Bryce Crane, Lincoln High School boys varsity tennis coach.
Recommendations
The Board reviewed several personnel recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year, including teachers, support staff, and coaching positions.
Among the recommendations was Betsy Couchenour, who will return to Lincoln High School as a science teacher after 13 years at South Knox High School. Administrators noted her previous experience at Lincoln High School and said her credentials will allow the school to continue offering Anatomy as a dual-credit course.
The Board also recommended Kaitlyn Lunsford as an English teacher at Lincoln High School.
A Lincoln High School graduate, Lunsford previously taught at Rivet High School before working in higher education and business. Administrators highlighted her desire to return to the classroom and invest in the next generation of students.
James "Lee" Campbell was recommended for Lincoln High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Campbell brings both industry and classroom experience in construction trades, industrial maintenance, and manufacturing, providing students with valuable career-focused instruction.
Clark Middle School recommended Harold "Hal" Shurtleff IV as its new mathematics teacher. Administrators praised his instructional approach, commitment to building relationships with students, and collaborative teaching style.
Madison Riley was recommended as an elementary teacher at Vigo Elementary.
A graduate of Oakland City University, she most recently served as a long-term substitute teacher at Petersburg Elementary and was recognized for her strong classroom management, professionalism, and ability to build relationships with students and families.
Additional recommendations included Don Altstadt, who returns to Washington Learning Academy following his retirement from VCSC in 2021.
Transfers
The Board also reviewed several staff transfers for the upcoming school year.
Among the transfers was Lori Graham, who was recommended to serve as interim principal at Washington Learning Academy.
Graham brings nearly 20 years of administrative experience and has served as Director of Virtual Learning since WLA opened.
The Board also reviewed the transfer of Aaron Hall to assistant principal at Lincoln High School.
Hall has served as Clark Middle School's athletic director and teacher and brings more than two decades of experience in education.
Also recommended was Jon Heiden as Lincoln High School's new dean of students. A longtime educator and coach, Heiden has served Lincoln High School students for more than 23 years and will transition into the leadership role beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Additionally, Ian Battles was approved to transfer into the role of athletic director at Clark Middle School.
Battles will continue to teach social studies at Clark Middle School while serving as athletic director.
A teacher at Franklin Elementary was granted personal leave through September 7.
Fundraisers
The Board approved three Clark Middle School fundraisers to support student activities, including Culver's Love & Share Night on July 22, Procopio's Dine to Donate on September 1, and Active for Activities, where students will collect donations before participating in a 30-minute Walk Day on September 24.
Decision Items
Transfer Between Debt Service and Operations Funds
The Board approved a resolution allowing VCSC to transfer up to $131,236.28 from the Debt Service Fund to the Operations Fund, as permitted under recently enacted Indiana legislation. The transfer helps distribute the financial impact of the state's new supplemental homestead tax credit across multiple property tax-supported funds.
KCSEC Joint Services Budget
The Board approved the 2026-2027 Knox County Special Education Cooperative (KCSEC) Joint Services Budget. The proposed budget totals $1.87 million, a decrease from the previous year, with VCSC's share totaling just over $1.05 million. The budget supports special education services across the cooperative and had previously been approved by the KCSEC governing board.
The next VCSC Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the VCSC Administration Building located at 1712 S. Quail Run in Vincennes.