Monroe County, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) is facing a significant financial challenge in the coming years as Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) is projected to reduce the corporation’s funding by more than $30 million from 2026 through 2031. The Board of School Trustees discussed the looming impact during its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18, while also focusing on ongoing strategies to achieve financial balance and support students amid shrinking resources.
During the meeting, MCCSC leaders highlighted that the projected losses include reductions in referendum revenue and charter school revenue sharing. Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin detailed that the corporation could see annual losses of $3 to $4 million in referendum revenue and $1.8 million per year by 2031 due to charter school revenue sharing provisions in SEA 1. These reductions come on top of other rising costs, such as insurance premiums and utility expenses, that the school system cannot control.
In October, Barry Gardner, a consultant from Policy Analytics, provided an initial analysis of SEA 1’s effects. Since then, MCCSC received a comprehensive projection from the same firm quantifying the anticipated total losses. The results underscore a stark reality for the school corporation: navigating significant funding reductions while maintaining quality education and essential services.
“As we look at these headlines, we are seeing and hearing more and more about the numerous examples of budget cuts and staffing cuts across all forms of government. SEA 1 is impacting everyone, everywhere,” said Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston. Her comments reflect a broader trend across Indiana, where city and county governments and school districts alike are grappling with the consequences of the legislation.
Progress Toward Financial Balance
Despite the upcoming challenges, MCCSC officials emphasized that the corporation has made measurable strides toward financial stability. Irwin and Winston co-presented MCCSC’s quarterly update on the 2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance, launched in February, which aims to improve the corporation’s fiscal health.
Irwin pointed to improvements in the corporation’s cash balance over the past nine months, noting that these gains are part of a broader effort to stabilize finances and prepare for expected revenue losses. However, he warned that continued vigilance will be necessary.
“Significant progress has been made but we’re not there yet. We continue to monitor the ebbs and flows of the things that continue to happen in relation to public schools and our funding and our expenditures,” Irwin said. “To give another piece of context, in the Education Fund—some of the expenses in an individual month could be a little over $9 million in one month. So if you look at the numbers right now, our [Education] Fund balance at the end of the year is less than that … That’s not sufficient.”
The statement underscores the delicate balance MCCSC must maintain between financial responsibility and educational quality. Even with careful planning, the corporation’s current fund balance falls short of covering a typical month’s expenditures, making strategic financial management essential in the years ahead.
Commitment to Students
While financial constraints loom, MCCSC leadership reassured the community that students’ educational experiences and support services will remain a top priority. Dr. Winston emphasized the corporation’s commitment to maintaining quality instruction despite funding reductions.
“In spite of the headwinds that we are facing at this moment in time … The quality instruction in our classrooms and support services that our children deserve and our community expects are going to continue,” Winston said. “It will have to look different because we will have fewer dollars to do what we’re accustomed to doing, but we’re going to deliver on those promises.”
This assurance reflects MCCSC’s broader mission: to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to provide equitable, high-quality educational opportunities for students across Monroe County.
Property Planning and Community Input
In addition to discussing finances, MCCSC leaders addressed strategic planning for physical assets, including the former Herald-Times building. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations Dr. Jeffry Henderson shared details about the property, which includes six usable acres, a 77,000-square-foot building, and parking space. Currently, the property serves as storage and additional bus parking, but the Board is exploring potential long-term uses.
“When this administrative team began its tenure, no formal written plan for the use of this property existed,” Henderson said. “As we plan for the future, there are a number of decision-making considerations that need to be analyzed.”
Following the presentation, the Board expressed interest in gathering input from the community, families, and employees about potential uses for the property. Superintendent Winston has been tasked with collecting feedback and sharing information by March 2026, signaling the Board’s commitment to inclusive planning.
Redistricting Study Update
The Board also received an update on MCCSC’s Redistricting Study, with Dr. Blaine Garman-McClaine detailing how research informs planning decisions. Redistricting efforts aim to ensure equitable distribution of students and resources across the school corporation while accounting for changes in enrollment, demographics, and neighborhood growth. Information about the study is publicly available on MCCSC’s website, providing transparency and opportunities for community engagement.
Recognizing Excellence
True to tradition, the November meeting also celebrated outstanding students and staff. Bloomington High School North student Rex Speer was recognized for leadership and service, while Abby Brim, an intermediate inclusion teacher at Grandview Elementary, received accolades for excellence in instruction.
Two language teachers at Bloomington High School North were honored for awards received through the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association (IFLTA). Michiko Owaki, a Japanese language teacher, and Hongzhi Wang, a Chinese language teacher, were recognized for contributions that highlight the corporation’s commitment to high-quality instruction across disciplines.
Looking Ahead
MCCSC’s leaders made it clear that the corporation faces a period of financial adjustment and strategic planning. SEA 1’s projected impact, combined with uncontrollable cost increases, requires the Board, administration, and community to navigate a complex fiscal environment. Yet, the emphasis remains on maintaining student support, engaging with the public, and making thoughtful, forward-looking decisions.
The corporation’s 2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance, combined with careful asset management and community engagement, forms the backbone of this approach. Leaders are optimistic that continued transparency, fiscal discipline, and collaboration with staff, students, and families will help MCCSC weather the challenges ahead.
As Irwin summarized, “Significant progress has been made, but we’re not there yet.” His words reflect the cautious optimism with which MCCSC approaches the next chapter in its history—a chapter shaped by funding reductions but guided by a clear commitment to educational quality, community input, and strategic planning.
For more information about MCCSC Board of School Trustees meetings and updates on initiatives like the Redistricting Study, the public can visit the Board of School Trustees tab at www.mccsc.edu.
