Monroe County, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) has announced a two-year, student-focused strategy to stabilize its financial situation. The plan, presented at the Board of School Trustees meeting on February 25, 2025, comes as the district grapples with declining enrollment, rising payroll expenses, and reductions in state funding. Superintendent Dr. Markay L. Winston, who initiated a comprehensive financial review upon her appointment in July 2024, outlined the phased approach to achieving fiscal balance.
Facing Financial Challenges
MCCSC has been experiencing financial strain due to several ongoing trends. Over the past three school years, student enrollment has dropped by approximately 7.6%, equating to a loss of 835 students. This decline has led to a revenue shortfall of $17.2 million in state funding. At the same time, payroll expenses have surged by 31.7%, amounting to an additional $28.6 million in costs. Further complicating the issue, Monroe County’s population projections indicate an additional decrease of 400 students over the next decade.
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The financial challenges have been exacerbated by changes in state funding policies. For example, in 2022, local voters approved $17.3 million for MCCSC’s Referendum Fund, specifically intended for teacher and staff wages. However, tax caps imposed by the state of Indiana in 2023 have curtailed the anticipated growth of this fund, reducing the expected revenue increase for 2025 by approximately $1.3 million.
A Phased Approach to Sustainability
To address these financial concerns, MCCSC has devised a five-phase plan to be executed over the next two years. Dr. Winston has already completed Phase One, which involved a comprehensive fiscal review and cost analysis. The next step, Phase Two, will focus on cost containment strategies.
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“The strategy that will be prioritized is one of natural attrition,” Winston explained. “Every year, approximately 80-100 teachers and 250-300 support staff are hired in response to retirements or resignations. As employees leave, we will carefully assess the viability of reassigning existing staff into vacated positions.”
Additionally, Phase Two includes a detailed structural analysis to identify sustainable financial strategies while minimizing disruptions to student learning. The final three phases will involve establishing a revised financial management plan, implementing strategies for long-term fiscal sustainability, and continuous evaluation to ensure accountability.
Commitment to Transparency and Community Involvement
As MCCSC moves forward with the strategy, Winston emphasized the district’s dedication to transparency and community engagement.
“Our commitment to our community is that we will continue meeting the needs of our children, and we will make decisions with students at the center,” Winston stated. “We value the principles of transparency, honesty, respect, and integrity. We believe transparency is the route to accountability. To that end, I commit to providing quarterly updates at our board meetings so that the public knows exactly what we are doing and how we are progressing toward our goals.”
The district has launched a dedicated webpage at mccsc.edu/strategy where community members can access detailed information about the two-year plan, sign up for updates, and provide feedback. Additionally, board meeting recordings and presentation materials can be viewed under the Board of School Trustees tab at www.mccsc.edu.
Looking Ahead
The next MCCSC Board of School Trustees meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the MCCSC Co-Lab in Bloomington, Indiana. These meetings are also streamed online via MCCSC’s YouTube channel, ensuring accessibility for the broader community.
As MCCSC works through its strategy, the focus remains on maintaining high-quality education while securing long-term financial stability. With a clear plan in place and a commitment to transparency, the district aims to navigate these financial challenges effectively while keeping students’ best interests at the forefront.
