The Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education held its regular meeting on May 5, 2026, and approved a series of financial, personnel, policy, and operational items, highlighted by authorization for up to $6.46 million in future general obligation bond issuances over the next decade to support district facility improvements and technology upgrades.
The meeting included presentations from representatives of Baker Tilly and Ice Miller regarding the district’s current debt capacity and long-term financing options. District officials emphasized that the authorization approved Tuesday does not obligate the school corporation to borrow the full amount but instead provides flexibility for future projects as needs arise.
Under the approved plan, the first proposed issuance would occur in fall 2026 for approximately $2.265 million. Planned projects include HVAC replacement, roof repairs, and other building renovations totaling approximately $1.14 million. Additional planned improvements include more than $1 million in technology upgrades, such as student Chromebooks, teacher devices, classroom displays, and a phone system upgrade.
According to financial projections presented during the meeting, the first bond issuance could increase the district’s debt service tax rate by an estimated $0.1149 in 2027. Officials noted that the district’s existing debt obligations remain manageable and that future issuances in 2031 and 2035 would still require separate board approval at the time of issuance.
The board also approved an agreement with Baker Tilly Advisory Group to provide municipal advisory services related to budgeting and debt issuance. Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna stated the agreement will be posted publicly in compliance with state law requirements.
Several personnel actions were approved during the meeting, including the retirement of longtime educator Donetta Miller, who served 41 years in Rossville Schools. The board also approved the appointment of Paulina Jarrett as the new Rossville Elementary School assistant principal for the 2026-2027 school year with a 195-day contract and base salary of $77,000.
Additional staffing approvals included Christina Schaefer as middle/high school art teacher, Amy Schoon as part-time secondary math teacher, Paul Mullen as Rossville Elementary M.A.T.H. Bowl coach, Amanda Huffer as assistant director of exceptional needs for Clinton-Carroll Joint Services, and Shyla Wenzel as educational consultant for Clinton-Carroll Joint Services.
The board also accepted the resignations of Katie Mackey as M.A.T.H. Bowl coach, along with those of Russ Olnick and Alexis Brown, effective at the conclusion of the current school year. Leave requests for Valerie Bennett and Sheila Oliver were approved.
Policy updates received board approval as part of the district’s ongoing collaboration with the Indiana School Boards Association. Among the policy changes were revisions related to public records access, education records, police relations, and new policies concerning student discipline and wireless device prohibitions.
Financial items approved by the board included a restatement of the district’s 401(a) retirement plan onto a TIAA plan document, along with a proposed lease agreement connected to the Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative. The agreement would allow continued use of the former Ivy Tech/Frankfort Times building for career and technical education programming contingent upon receipt of a READI grant.
The board also received results from a recent extracurricular audit conducted by the State Board of Accounts covering the period from July 2022 through June 2024. District officials indicated the report would be posted publicly on both state and district websites.
Rossville Schools also announced donations to its agricultural education program, including a $1,000 contribution from Kova Ag Products and a donation of more than 7,000 pounds of steel valued at $5,639.20 from Liquid Spring.
Additional actions approved Tuesday night included the 2026-2027 Rossville High School Curriculum Guide, summer camp offerings, fundraising activities, use of school facilities for the Rossville Business Association Summer’s End Festival, and declaration of surplus equipment.
Technology Director Dustin Shadbolt presented the results of a recent cybersecurity assessment, reporting that the district has made measurable progress since its 2024 audit. According to the report, Rossville Schools is now optimizing one cybersecurity framework category, implementing three others, and developing two additional areas.
Conference reports and upcoming student field trips were also shared with the board, including activities involving FFA, the eighth-grade class trip, and girls’ basketball team summer camp participation.
The next regular meeting of the Rossville Consolidated School District Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 7 p.m.
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Rossville Consolidated School District is proud to announce that Rossville Middle/Senior High School teacher Jason Newhouser has been selected as the Ivy Tech Lafayette Campus recipient of the President’s Dual Credit Award for Excellence in Instruction.
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