Monroe County, Indiana – One year into a two-year plan designed to restore financial stability, the Monroe County Community School Corporation reported measurable progress while maintaining what leaders describe as a strong educational foundation.
At a Feb. 24 meeting of the Board of School Trustees, district officials shared an update on the “2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance & Sustain Excellence.” The presentation outlined both encouraging projections and the realities still facing the district.
Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin told board members that current forecasts show positive fund balances extending through 2028. Even so, the district continues to navigate significant financial headwinds. Because Indiana funds public school instruction largely based on student enrollment, MCCSC’s decline of nearly 1,000 students since the 2019-20 school year has translated into an estimated $30.9 million less in instructional funding than the district would have received at earlier enrollment levels.
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Additional strain is expected from Senate Enrolled Act 1, which is projected to reduce MCCSC funding by another $30 million through 2031. District leaders emphasized that these reductions affect not only instructional dollars but also daily operations.
Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston said the district is responding by reviewing every area of operation with a focus on efficiency, while shielding classroom instruction as much as possible.
“To respond to these current and future funding reductions, we must look closely at every aspect of our school corporation,” said Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston.
“First and foremost, we will continue to pursue ways to become more efficient — from how we purchase supplies to how we structure our operations — to protect and prioritize classroom instruction.”
To demonstrate that educational quality has remained steady, the district shared staffing and class size data. Since 2019, the average student-to-certificated staff ratio in grades K-12 has increased by less than one student.
Elementary class sizes now average 22 students, up by only one student since 2024. Most classrooms remain within board-approved student-to-teacher ratios, including 84% of Pre-K through sixth grade classrooms, 83% of multi-grade classrooms and nearly 75% of secondary classrooms.
Winston reaffirmed the district’s commitment to maintaining a broad range of programs, including STEAM offerings, arts education, extracurricular activities, early learning, global learning initiatives and college and career pathways. She said innovation will be essential as the district works to balance finances without compromising opportunities for students.
District leaders also addressed MCCSC’s role within the broader Bloomington economy, noting that strong schools attract families and contribute to community growth. Winston described schools as part of the community’s economic engine, reinforcing the connection between educational quality and local vitality.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffry Henderson outlined staffing principles used across the district, describing them as student-centered, educationally sound and financially sustainable. He also reviewed community feedback regarding the former Herald-Times property purchased in 2022.
Under Indiana law, any proceeds from a potential sale would be placed in the district’s Operations Fund and could not be used for teacher wages or benefits. The board has not made a final decision and will begin the required statutory process, including public notice and a hearing.
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District officials encouraged the community to follow ongoing updates as the strategy continues into its second year.
