This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, September 30th, 2024.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item of his regular newsletter, “The Almost Daily Bulletin.” More in today’s feature report.

That’s Jules Erwin from WildCare. Got a bat in your attic? Baby possum crying under your porch? Your local animal control cannot help with these things but WildCare can. Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

MCCSC School Board

During the September 25th Monroe County School Corporation Board Meeting, the board held a public hearing on the 2025 budget. The hearing went over the total annual budget and bonds, the M-C-C-S-C Equity Goal 3, and the Childs-Templeton merger.

The Director and Municipal Advisor at Baker Tilly, Jeff Hamon, went over the School Corporation’s outstanding bonds. There are eight in total and a plan to have them all paid by 2039 was presented. The total 2024 annual payment on those bonds is about $17.3 million.

The General Obligation Bond capacity was also considered at the meeting for the coming year. The school’s full bonding capacity would be capped at $15,850,000 with a repayment term of just a little over ten years.

Chief Financial Officer John Kenny spoke on the budget. He outlined the 2025 Budget Hearing reported a total of $187,697,070 for total budget for funds for education, operations, referendums, debt service, and school pension. Kenny said the budget will increase funds for Referendums and Debt service in order to offset tax levies.

Kenny compared M-C-C-S-C to other school corporations’ tax rates, and showed that M-C-C-S-C has the second lowest tax rate compared to ten other schools closest in terms of Average Daily Membership enrollment.

Next, the M-C-C-S-C Equity Goal Three for student learning was addressed. Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Alexis Harmon said the goal is to accelerate learning for students with accessible high-quality curriculum and instruction to reduce academic disparity.

The current data presented says that I-LEARN from the 2023-2024 school year, from MCCSC’s third grade to eighth grade, is performing above the rest of the state in all grade levels, but wants to do better. This is true for graduation rates as well as S-A-T stats.

Harmon shared a report which showed a focus on a new route taken for reading literacy and language comprehension.

She said that I-READ 2 came as a response to the I-READ 3 law, stating a school cannot pass a child onto the 4th grade if they do not pass I-READ 3. By having 2nd graders take I-READ 2 it can show educators what needs to be Brandene in 3rd grade to pass them on to 4th.

Lastly, the Childs-Templeton Merger has been getting great feedback from the public and school board. M-C-C-S-C Interim Superintendent Doctor Markay Winston reported a 3D model of the school has been completed and will help figure out how many students and staff will be able to fit into each classroom. A feedback form is on their website for those wanting to share ideas on what they want for the merger and a bi-weekly newsletter has been created in order to create transparency and give updates to families and employees.

Isolated redistricting was brought up during the report, but Dr. Winston assured the board, specifically Board Member BranBranden Shurr who brought up the issue, that it has only been talked about, but will not be in the final recommendation.

Board Member Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer agrees with Schurr and goes on to explain how the merger is a positive opportunity for the students of Childs and Templeton.

Dr. Winston requests that the board think about and answer the question, “What does a successful merger look like?” at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on October 22nd.

On Saturday, candidates for Indiana’s 9th congressional district met virtually for a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County.

The District 9 election will take place in November. It consists of Republican incumbent Erin Houchin, Democratic candidate Timothy Peck and third-party Libertarian candidate Russell Brooksbank. Notably absent from Saturday’s candidate forum was Erin Houchin who currently serves in the U.S. House representing District 9.

During his opening remarks, Brooksbank said his campaign is focusing on the “sovereignty” of individual citizens.

Peck called out Houchin for the lack of participation in the forum by the incumbent. He also expressed what he views as the need for a change in leadership for the 9th district.

Tim Peck is an entrepreneur in the health and technology field from New Washington, Indiana. He’s also a physician. His campaign hones in on reproductive health rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Indiana’s subsequent abortion ban.

Forum moderator Sonia Leercamp asked the candidates about their priorities if they assume office. Peck said that healthcare reform would be a top priority.

Russell Brooksbank is a Libertarian activist. He’s worked in the concrete industry for over two decades and previously worked in sales. He served in the U.S. Army reserves for 6 years. His campaign advocates for the “smallest government possible.”

Moderator Leercamp shifted the line of questioning to inflation. She asked how the candidates would tackle inflation if they were elected. Brooksbank responded first, saying the government should take a hands-off approach to the economy.

Answering the same question, Peck agreed with some of the sentiments Brooksbank expressed. However, he believes the government should play a bigger role in curbing inflation issues.

To watch the full candidate forum, you can visit cats tv dot net. The 2024 general election will take place on Tuesday, November 5th.

Feature Report:

Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers an item of his regular newsletter, “The Almost Daily Bulletin.” For more, we turn to Dave Askins.

Got a bat in your attic? Baby possum crying under your porch? Your local animal control cannot help with these things but WildCare can. This local non profit rescues sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife and cares for them until they can be returned to the wild. Jules Erwin is on the board at WildCare and she’s hosting a Wine & Wildlife fundraising event this Saturday at Butler Winery. She’s here asking for volunteers on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

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