The Vincennes Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees met Monday, November 9, 2026, recognizing students and employees, approving personnel recommendations, adopting the 2027-2028 school calendar, and awarding a contract for new athletic practice fields.
The Board also reviewed the corporation's financial outlook and ongoing facility improvement projects.
VCSC Highlight of the Month: Franklin Elementary
Franklin Elementary first-grade students were recognized as the VCSC Highlight of the Month for a creative project combining reading, writing and critical thinking.
Students in Mrs. Holscher's, Mrs. Allen's and Mrs. Turpin's classes have been learning how to use text evidence to answer questions and distinguish between facts and opinions.
As part of the project, students read passages about different types of candy, identified facts and shared their opinions. After learning about the candy and sampling a few varieties, students worked in small groups to create and present projects showcasing what they learned.
The activity helped students strengthen their reading comprehension, writing, collaboration and presentation skills through hands-on learning.
Riley Elementary Employee of the Month
Riley Elementary recognized Amanda Johnston as one of VCSC's Employees of the Month.
Johnston has served VCSC for 28 years, beginning her career as an instructional aide at Franklin Elementary. For the past 20 years, she has served as Riley's Life Skills teacher.
Principal Suzanne Corrona highlighted Johnston's dedication to creating meaningful learning opportunities that help students develop independence and reach their full potential.
Johnston also works closely with classroom teachers to provide inclusive learning experiences and trains fifth-grade peer tutors to assist students in her classroom. She serves as a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) trainer and is a member of Riley's Behavior Implementation and Safety teams.
She was recognized for her compassion, high expectations and strong relationships with students and families.
Clark Middle School Employee of the Month
Clark Middle School recognized Jeanne Heiden as one of VCSC's Employees of the Month.
Heiden serves in student services, where she plays an important role in supporting student attendance and maintaining communication with families.
Principal Tricia Hall highlighted Heiden's dedication to helping families address attendance challenges, coordinating conferences and connecting students with resources. Clark Middle School is currently maintaining a 96% attendance rate, with Heiden playing an important role in those efforts.
Heiden also coordinates the school's food bag program in partnership with Backpacks of Love, assists families with school supplies and volunteers with KETA's annual school supply distribution.
Beyond those responsibilities, she is known for building meaningful relationships with students, providing encouragement and helping them navigate challenges throughout the school day.
Administrators recognized her compassion, dependability and commitment to ensuring students and families feel supported.
Public Hearing: Proposed District-Wide Facility Improvement Project
The Board held a public hearing regarding the proposed 2027 Multi-Year District-Wide Facility Improvement and Equipment/Bus/Vehicle Acquisition Project.
The proposed initiative would provide VCSC with flexibility to address facility and equipment needs throughout the corporation over multiple years.
Potential projects include building repairs and renovations, technology and equipment upgrades, improvements to athletic and extracurricular facilities, and the purchase of school buses and other vehicles.
As part of the required legal process, VCSC is considering authorization for bonds and/or lease financing of up to $25 million.
The corporation emphasized that this figure represents the maximum borrowing authority being considered, not the amount VCSC anticipates borrowing or spending. Actual financial needs are expected to be considerably less.
The initiative is intended to provide long-term financial flexibility as the corporation navigates changes to Indiana's property tax laws and potential additional legislation.
VCSC continues working with its financial advisors and bond counsel to evaluate the proposed financing and its potential impact on local taxpayers.
Consent Agenda
The Board approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, claims, financial and investment statements, personnel updates, fundraisers, facility-use requests and other routine business.
Personnel Updates
Retirement
The Board accepted the retirement of Coleen Bennett, administrative assistant with the Knox County Special Education Cooperative, effective December 18.
Bennett began her career with VCSC in March 2005, working in the assistant superintendent's office and managing state and federal grants.
In 2016, she transitioned to the Knox County Special Education Cooperative, where she continued overseeing grants and related responsibilities.
VCSC recognized Bennett for her 21 years of dedicated service, professionalism and attention to detail, particularly in managing grants and ensuring accurate financial records.
Resignation
The Board accepted the resignation of Emma Sievers, a Life Skills aide at Vigo Elementary.
Recommendations
The Board approved several personnel recommendations, including Miranda Scott as a Life Skills aide at Vigo Elementary and Abriana Sprinkle as an instructional assistant at Vigo.
Additional recommendations included coaching positions for elementary basketball, Lincoln High School wrestling and dance, and tutoring assignments through the United Way/Duke program at Riley Elementary.
The Board also approved Amber Green for an accounts payable and administrative assistant position supporting facilities, along with Math Pentathlon sponsors at Clark Middle School.
Fundraisers
The Board approved two fundraising requests supporting student programs.
Little Alice Learning Center received approval for a fundraiser featuring student-created artwork on keepsakes. The fundraiser will run November 23–30, with proceeds supporting materials for student activities and family engagement.
Clark Academic Boosters received approval to host a "Chuck-A-Duck" fundraiser during select home basketball games. Proceeds will support student engagement activities and teacher requests.
Use of Facilities
The Board approved requests for the Vincennes Basketball Association to use the Lincoln High School and Clark Middle School gymnasiums for basketball tournaments January 23–24.
The Clark Academic Boosters also received approval to use the Clark Middle School gymnasium for a Winter Dance on December 5.
Discussion Items
Teacher Salary and Benefits Funding Threshold
The Board reviewed VCSC's compliance with Indiana's requirement that school corporations allocate at least 65% of applicable state funding toward teacher salaries and benefits.
For the 2026-2027 school year, VCSC reported 63.01%, falling below the state's established threshold.
School corporations below 65% are required to document the percentage in official Board minutes and make the information publicly available.
VCSC explained that the state's calculation excludes several positions essential to supporting students, including certain special education professionals, instructional aides, social workers, nurses and school safety personnel.
Because VCSC serves as the Local Education Agency for the Knox County Special Education Cooperative, the corporation also has approximately $563,595 in personnel expenses that it believes should qualify toward the threshold but are excluded under the current calculation.
When additional student support positions are included, VCSC estimates that approximately 75% of applicable state funding goes toward personnel. Including building administrators increases that figure to approximately 82%.
The corporation emphasized its commitment to competitive teacher compensation while recognizing that operating a school system also requires numerous support professionals and essential services.
Decision Items
2027-2028 School Calendar Approved
The Board approved the 2027-2028 VCSC school calendar.
The calendar largely follows the structure of previous school years, although the start of school and several breaks will occur approximately one week later.
Teachers and full-time staff will return Wednesday, August 11, 2027, with students beginning classes Thursday, August 12.
The calendar includes four early-release dates for professional development and three designated potential inclement weather makeup dates: February 18, April 17 and May 26, 2028.
The calendar also establishes the following end-of-year dates:
May 19, 2028: Washington Learning Academy Commencement
May 25, 2028: Last student day
May 26, 2028: Lincoln High School Commencement
VCSC will continue to utilize synchronous e-learning when necessary for weather-related school cancellations.
LHS/CMS Practice Field Improvements
The Board awarded a contract to Wabash Utilities, Inc. for improvements to athletic practice fields serving Lincoln High School and Clark Middle School.
The approved base bid totals $694,000, with an additional $17,540 for fencing and gates, bringing the total project award to $711,540.
Wabash Utilities submitted the lowest bid among four contractors.
The project is part of Phase 2 of VCSC's ongoing facility improvement plan and is intended to provide additional practice space for football and soccer student-athletes at Lincoln High School and Clark Middle School.
Other Business
Facility Improvement and Bond Projects
The Board received an update on ongoing facility improvements funded through the corporation's bond programs.
Nearly all Phase 1 projects have been completed, representing approximately $15.6 million in improvements.
Completed projects include the Lincoln High School culinary arts kitchen and serving area, roof and solar improvements, sprinkler upgrades, replacement chillers, door hardware improvements, Alice Arena railing improvements, Washington Learning Academy façade restoration and an additional playground at Franklin Elementary.
Work planned or underway in subsequent phases includes renovations to the culinary arts dining area, LHS locker rooms and restrooms, Ader Auditorium, band and choir facilities, athletic practice fields, sprinkler systems and other building infrastructure.
Future projects also include improvements to Inman Field, generators at Lincoln High School and Clark Middle School, and a potential cafeteria expansion at Clark Middle School.
The corporation estimates the total cost of projects across all four phases at approximately $40 million.
Inman Field and Long-Term Capital Planning
VCSC also provided an update on its long-term plans for Inman Field.
While relocating the football facility had previously been considered, the estimated $17 million relocation cost, combined with financial uncertainty surrounding property tax revenue, has made that option unlikely for the foreseeable future.
Instead, the corporation is focusing on potential improvements to the existing facility, including renovations to the home bleachers, locker rooms, concessions, storage areas and fencing.
VCSC is also developing a broader 10-year capital improvement plan to account for future facility needs while maintaining financial flexibility.
That planning includes anticipated improvements to Clark Middle School's roof and mechanical systems, as well as other infrastructure needs throughout the district.
School Bus Replacement Planning
The Board also received information regarding the corporation's long-term school bus replacement needs.
VCSC maintains a five-year bus replacement plan, although inclusion in the plan does not guarantee that a bus will be purchased.
Due to financial constraints and the increasing cost of school buses, VCSC has purchased or replaced only one bus annually during each of the past three years.
The corporation continues evaluating transportation needs alongside other capital improvement priorities as part of its long-term financial planning.
The next VCSC Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2926, at 7:00 p.m. at the VCSC Administration Building located at 1712 S. Quail Run Road in Vincennes.