Vincennes Community School Corp

The Vincennes Community School Corporation (VCSC) Board of School Trustees held its regular meeting on August 10, 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 Amanda Salters, Franklin and Riley STEM teacher; Stephanie Stone, Franklin Elementary nurse; Hannah Garrity, Lincoln High School social studies teacher; Stephanie Jefferson, Washington Learning Academy instructional assistant; Chainy Watson, Tecumseh-Harrison Life Skills aide; Alexis Jenkins, Vigo Elementary instructional assistant; Macy Jenkins, Franklin After School Daycare aide; and Jonathan Lange, CMS/LHS swim coach.

VCSC expressed appreciation for the service and contributions each employee provided to students and the school community.

Recommendations

The Board reviewed several personnel recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year, including teachers, instructional assistants, support staff and coaching positions.

Among the recommendations was Angela Herron as a computer science teacher at Clark Middle School. Herron holds a master's degree in human resource management and is enrolled in Purdue University's Transition to Teaching Program. Her professional background includes experience in human resources, administration and employee training, providing real-world experience she can incorporate into the classroom.

Alexis Cuadra Webster was recommended for the Life Skills teaching position at Clark Middle School. A licensed Indiana educator, Webster brings experience working with both primary and high school students. Administrators highlighted her collaborative approach, adaptability and ability to build relationships with students, families and staff.

The Board also reviewed the recommendation of Lisa Harting for the Middle School Success Academy position at Washington Learning Academy. Harting previously taught at WLA before moving to South Knox and has also worked at Tecumseh-Harrison Elementary and the Southwest Indiana Regional Youth Village. She is licensed in elementary education and middle school math and holds a building-level administrator's license.

Transfers

Several staff transfers were also reviewed for the upcoming school year. Lori Sanders will move from Tecumseh-Harrison nurse to Franklin Elementary nurse, while Grace Kesler will transition from a Franklin/Riley special education position to the STEM teaching position serving both schools.

Jacob Beaman will transfer from Washington Learning Academy to Lincoln High School to fill the social studies teaching position, and Melissa Miley will move from a Riley Elementary Title I aide position to a classroom aide position. The agenda also lists Kaleena McCormick for a transfer at Clark Middle School, but the provided document does not include the remainder of her new assignment.

Fundraisers

The Board reviewed several fundraisers supporting student activities and athletic programs.

Lincoln High School Boys Tennis will hold a "Pick a Date to Donate" fundraiser throughout August to help purchase jerseys and equipment. The LHS Girls Cross Country team will also hold a "Fill the Shoes" campaign during August to support the purchase of warm-ups and shorts.

The LHS Girls Basketball team plans to host a Pancake Breakfast on November 7, with proceeds supporting practice jerseys, travel gear, team shoes and meals. Vigo PTO also requested approval for a T-shirt fundraiser to help fund a student trip to the movies in December.

Use of Facilities

The Board reviewed several requests for the use of VCSC facilities. Franklin PTO requested use of the Franklin Elementary cafeteria for monthly meetings, while Triple Threat Talent requested use of the Washington Learning Academy gym during renovations to its facility.

A request was also submitted to use the Seventh Street parking lot for a fundraiser benefiting Chad Brewington.

Discussion Items

Proposed Policy, Guideline and Form Revisions

The Board conducted a first reading of a comprehensive set of policy and administrative guideline revisions recommended by Neola. Many of the proposed changes are in response to recent state and federal legislation and are intended to keep VCSC policies aligned with current law.

Among the proposed changes are updates to the corporation's definition and regulation of Personal Communication Devices, reflecting changes to Indiana law that expand the definition to include wearable technology such as smartwatches and smartglasses. The revised policies also address the state's new requirements regarding student access to wireless communication devices during the school day.

Additional proposed revisions address areas including coach training and accreditation, staff discipline and evaluations, teacher contracts, student discipline, background checks, mandatory curriculum, volunteers, school safety, cybersecurity and information security.

The proposed cybersecurity revisions strengthen the corporation's continuity and incident-response procedures, including requirements related to ransomware events, vendor contracts, staff training and annual data-security risk assessments.

Decision Items

2026-2027 School Calendar Changes

The Board reviewed changes to the 2026-2027 school calendar that reduce the number of scheduled early-release days.

Under the revised calendar, early-release days will be limited to September 1, September 25, October 6, October 12-13 and March 18-19. Early-release dates previously scheduled for November 3, December 1, March 2, April 6 and May 4 will be removed.

2027 VCSC Budget

The Board considered permission to advertise the proposed 2027 VCSC budget, an early step in the annual budget process.

The proposed budget totals approximately $47.46 million across the Education, Debt Service, Operations and Rainy Day funds. The proposal includes approximately $25.98 million for Education, $10.94 million for Operations, $6.54 million for Debt Service and $4 million for the Rainy Day Fund.

Lincoln High School Locker Room Renovations

The Board reviewed bids for planned locker room renovations at Lincoln High School.

VCSC received five bids for the project, with base bids ranging from approximately $2.32 million to $2.83 million. Bids were submitted by Wolfe Construction, Taber Owens Construction, Arc Construction, Danco Construction and Empire Contractors.

The bids were taken under advisement while the corporation's architect reviews the proposals and prepares a recommendation for the project.