001County, how are you? I think so. >> Oh, I can One minute. We can all rise for the pledge of allegiance. United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Providing today's students opportunities to become tomorrow's leaders. Sorry, I got to find my spot. So, uh, the purpose of tonight's meeting is a public works session. I want to be clear that no decisions will be made tonight. It is a public work session. One of the things that we heard was that people didn't get a chance to have a say, and we want to make sure we do that. So, there's no decisions tonight. Uh, what you should expect tonight is listening from board members and from the administrators. Not a
002lot of talking. They may ask clarifying questions uh but they actually will not be answering a bunch of questions tonight. The idea is for us uh for us is to gather information uh and figure out what it is that you uh that you folks uh want us to hear. Uh we think that's important and we want to make sure we're doing that. Um we will uh spend a little time uh going through some information on the front end um and then we will uh move to uh the public comment section. Okay. So at this point I'm going to turn it over to Miss Bombgartner. >> Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? >> Good. Okay. My name is Kim Bombgartner, Central's business manager and I'm here to give you some quick background information before we
003start. This is the slide I wanted to start with because I do want you all to keep this in the forefront of your mind tonight. The reason that why the reason that we're here, it's our why. The students of Central Noble. Okay, very quickly, how do public schools get funding? Indiana public schools use fund accounting, which means there are buckets for different types of money. As you can see in the slideshow, the education fund is our largest bucket. That is state funding based on our enrollment. Operations fund is funded by property taxes and local taxes. The debt service fund is also funded by property taxes. Sorry to pay for bond debt. And then schools can have referendums, but central Noble does not have a referendum. Buckets of money have to stay separate, though the state
004allows a 15% transfer from the education budget to the operations budget annually. Central Noble tries to keep their edops transfer at 7%. >> Can we see your mic or N? None of them. They're all red. >> Can you guys hear it? Okay. >> So, why are we in this situation? Um, let's talk about enrollment decline. This impacts our state funding. Okay. from the 0506 to 2526 school years. Um, Central Mobile has lost 340 students. Using today's per pupil funding amount, this would be this woulda equate to a loss of about $2.5 million in funding to Central's education fund. And though we've lost that many students, that doesn't necessarily equate to the same amount of a loss of teachers or great savings in staffing. And even though we have less students over the last 20 years,
005the demand on public education has certainly not decreased. Let's talk about Senate Bill 1. You've heard us talk about it before, and this won't be the last time you hear us talk about it. Senate Bill 1 is estimated to save Indiana homeowners 1.3 billion over three years. While designed to help Indiana residents, this bill reduces the funding for public entities such as local governments, public schools, libraries, etc. So what is Central Noble's impact? In 2026, we lost 266,000. 2027, we're estimated to lose 270,000. 2028, another 330,000. And by 2029, it will we are set to lose approximately $200,000 in local income tax funding. This is a total potential financial impact of over a million dollars. So to put this in perspective, Central Noble's 2026 operations budget is $3.9 million. If Central's looking at a reduction
006of over a million dollars, that is over 25% of our operations budget loss. If you think about that in terms of your own household, a 25 cent uh 25% reduction of of revenue to your house would likely prompt you to make some major changes to your spending. This is exactly what Central Noble is doing. Just so you know, the budget process for a school starts 18 months in advance. So, we are well underway um planning for our 2027 budget. Let's talk about some scenarios. Tonight, we're going to talk about consolidation. So, scenario A is consolidation of the primary and the elementary starting this fall for the 2627 school year. What we wanted to show you with this information is we kind of gave you utilities ex expenses for the primary and the elementary for the
007calendar year 2025. We have to remember that for half of 2025 the primary did lose a third of their students. Um so and that but you can see that their utilities were still um over 100,000 whereas the elementary is by far our most economical building. um they were just right about 93,000 for their util their utilities. Centobyl Elementary is also getting a solar project to be completed by June 2026. This project is estimated to cover Central Noble Elementary's current AE expenses. That could obviously change if we do add students and staff to that building, but we do anticipate seeing a reduction of utilities to the elementary due to this project. It is hard to estimate exactly how much we could save by closing the primary, but even with keeping the building at a stable temperature,
008we know we can capture utility savings along with transportation expenses and a much better utilization of all resources on one campus. Consolidation scenario B. This proposal would be to consolidate the primary and elementary starting the fall of 2027 for the school year, the 2728 school year. We have some expenses to consider if we uh keep the primary open for another year. We need to replace the repeater um that is that keeps our radios functioning between the locations. That is an estimated cost of 60,000. We need to replace some necessary switches and access points for our IT network. Uh we have quotes on that. It's about 45,000. The geothermal is coming to the end of its useful life in that building. Replacement would be over a million dollars there. continued shuttle expenses from the Albian to
009um primary campus. And this option, it does give the district full time to fully plan and execute the consolidation, but it will cost us more money in the long run. And then consolidation scenario C, Central Noble does not consolidate the elementary schools. In this scenario, other significant cuts would have to be made. Um and that would include cuts to the upkeep of our buildings and grounds. Payroll cuts would be inevitable. This would affect students, staff, and families. If Central makes no changes at all, by 2028, the education and operations funds will both be in deficit spending, and the DGF would not approve our budget. What does that mean? If the DGF does not approve our 2028 budget, they would force us to make drastic cuts for our expenditures to be able to fit within our
010budget. Or if things if we couldn't manage it on our own, that the state could come in and take control and then all decisions are out of our hands. When I spoke with our DGF ref uh representative to go over different scenarios for CN, we discussed depleting all of our cash balances to help fund our budgets for the next two years. While she said that it is within CN's right to do that, she also advised that it would not be a financially wise decision for us to do that at this time. Referendum. This is our kind of second main topic for tonight. Scenario A, a November 2026 ballot. Central Noble Community School Corporation could be on the November 2026 ballot for a referendum if we provide notice to the state by August 1st with a
011list of 5% of Albian's registered voters who would support a referendum. Pros to going this fall are that 50 to 60 other public schools will be going for a referendum this fall using similar messaging um to stress the importance of this funding for public education to overcome the impacts of Senate Bill 1. Since Central Noble just went through the referendum process, some resources could be updated and utilized again this fall. Some cons to going this fall. Central Noble just lost a referendum vote in May 2025. The cost of trying for a referendum is at least $40,000 whether a school wins or loses. And if Central Noble wants to do a referendum again this fall, we would be under a very tight timeline to accomplish everything that needs to be done. Referendum scenario B, wait until
012the November 2028 ballot. The next time beyond this fall that Central Noble could be on the ballot for a referendum would be November 2028. Pros to waiting is that central Noble will most likely have needed to make several big changes due to the financial impacts of Senate Bill 1, which is something we heard a lot in the first referendum. The community wanted to see Central Noble make some of these big changes. If we wait, another legislative budget will happen in 2027 and that could change funding at the state level, but it's a gamble. Who knows? Cons. By waiting until 2028, Central Noble's financial situation could be quite tight. And with potential big changes in CN's future, by 2028, staff, students, and families could really be feeling the effects of these changes made. Referendum scenario C.
013No, no referendum. Central Noble does not pursue a referendum in either 26 or 28. Central Noble would need to hope for increased enrollment to combat financial deficits or changes to funding at the state level. If neither of these situations happen, uh, Senator Noble will be forced to make significant cuts to remain open within the current budget constraints and that's it for me. >> So, the rationale behind that is to give you folks out there some common talking points about why we're talking about the things we are. Um, we are about to go into a breakout session. So, what's going to happen is a board member uh or an administrator is going to join your table. The facilitators at each table, you raise your hand. So, at each table, there's a facilitator and a noteaker. And
014the facilitators are going to try to keep us on task uh and on time. You you're going to have about six questions to process through and discuss. And I want to reiterate again, you can talk to the board members. They are going to listen. They may ask you clarifying questions. If you ask them questions, if it's something simple like, you know, what do you think? They're they're probably going to just not answer. They're going to just say, "Hey, we're here to gather. I don't want to do that." Remember, they're a board. One person's opinion doesn't carry much weight. Okay? They they have to function as a board. So, they're going to gather information. Now, the other thing that's going to happen is they're going to think and listen for themes that people are talking about.
015And our notetakers, our noteakers, raise your hand. So, if you're a notetaker each day, well, you're going to listen for themes and those themes are going to be recorded. All right? And the board members and the administrators are going to listen for themes that are recorded. At the end of the meeting, when we're done with our 30 minutes, we have about 30 minutes to talk through these six questions. At the end of that time, we will then uh come back up here. We'll reconvene as a as a big group. We'll report out some things maybe that we heard, but the main themes to be reported will be reported and reported out tomorrow online. You may get some of the same information today as you get tomorrow, but our idea today is to hear your questions
016and try to answer them and to get things your feelings about what we should be doing. I do want to be clear on one thing. Notetakers are not writing down who said what. They are not writing down who said what. They're simply writing the themes to try to get the big ideas what it's talking about. So notetakers, you don't need to know who said it. You just need to know what they said. All right. Are we clear on the expectations? Stay on. We're going to have about 30 minutes. We'll have about 30 minutes. Uh Carol will give us a 20 minute war when there's 20 minutes left. A 10-minute warning. and then probably five. Okay. >> Yes. >> I'm Matt with the newspaper. I may be coming around the tables. I also will not be
017taking down names. I I am curious to what people are saying. I may write down what is said, but I'm not going to point anybody out or take your name or anything. So, thank you. >> Okay. Okay. So, board members, if you go to your table and Carol wait till they get there and get settled in and then we'll start. facilitators. I'm going to give you kind of a hey, let's go. >> Make sure you sign in. Even if you don't speak, make sure you sign in. >> Oh, yeah. >> I apologize. I forgot one more thing. On the back of your agenda are the talking points that Kim talked about in bullet form. And the other sheet of paper is the um are the six questions. Okay. Okay. Go ahead. Time is started. >>
018Thanks everybody for coming. after we started. Okay. opportunity. So we ask that everyone respectful questions across two topics and we'll be comments interact with us. to listen gather feedback but will not be responding directly question. So with all that let's go ahead and get started on the first question. The first topic is the consolidation of school. Question number one in what ways of combining resources and group opportunities for students how many comments they'd like to have on that subject. example they gave would there be emergency academics extracurricular support services. You see anything in those areas? Positives buildings. classes are going to be I mean, I can trust like So question right Now start early. I mean we do. So I mean minutes. Anybody have comment on this question? I'm not teaching. I'll just read that
019next question. I don't even sorry what challenges should we anticipate I was doing. So, I was stuck at school. I think I didn't think I graduated and I didn't like 27 28 the other guys. We want to bring it in. Okay. I would have hit anything to finally rip and garlic. That's not even good. You look like you had you had something you wanted to add. Sure. >> Prepare for a successful transition. Yes. Terrible. You're still I know that you brought that up. Maybe just having a Maybe you guys that Right away. Yeah. >> Yes. >> I saw that the All right. That decision Not just I don't think you know you do We're going to move on to the referendum. And our first question there is the impact of us. Start off. We had
020to pull it off. Sorry. How district down waterhood because I I and again also I mean, I don't know. It's a public bondage They got another >> about a minute. also have this statewide never's Okay, question number two. What specific academic needs should be prior prioritized teacher following classization? Priority. Yeah. You say no. All right. Not all kind of thing. >> Yeah, you're right. I'm not Yeah. How many >> right? Isn't there a law that I don't know what it's like to start probably never talked about this idea. I know the referendum. support. Lemonade. Way better. You should ask them. I'm not I'm just saying You're not Yeah, I mean there may be no That's always instability. see another opening whether any level I don't know. Totally right. I know there was >> Try to
021get to a good place to stop. Try to get to a good place to stop. >> Board members, as you can make your way back up here, please. Thank you. So, the first thing the first thing I want to say is, uh, I want to give a huge shout out to those of you that came out. Um, you know, I recognize this is not the most comfortable conversation for anybody. Uh, and I recognize that probably most of these decisions are not ones that anybody wants to make. Uh, but I appreciate your time and your energy to come on and at least share with us what you're thinking. Second thing, I forgot to do this on the front and I want to thank our custodial staff for setting this up. They did a ton of work
022and I want to make sure that they get uh noted for that. Uh, last thing I heard lots I don't I know Brad was walking around. I didn't see other administrators, but if the conversation was half as good at your tables as it was at mine, uh we will have come back with some information. Uh just some heads up. So, we'll gather this information. We'll get it out tomorrow. It'll be on the web page somewhere. Uh it'll be up within 24 hours. So, you can look at that. Um and I hope we got some questions for us to answer to. I know I know at our table we came up with at least two that we need to get some feedback on and get back out to you folks. Uh, the last thing I want
023to do before we go is I'd like to just uh ask the board members to give a couple quick sentences on major themes that they heard at their table um or anything that they would like to share that kind of jump out at them. Remember, this is one person's screening of this. It's not it's not meant to be full force. I know that I wrote down some some notes uh but it's not meant what I wrote isn't meant to be the notes for the evening. So, I don't know who wants to start. I'll start. Okay. Go ahead. Okay, perfect. Um, I think a big theme at our table was and and my table can obviously correct me if I'm wrong uh with this, but I think a lot of it was coming up with the
024consolidation of the schools. Um, they were uh really worried about teachers, are teachers going to be able to keep their jobs? Are the aids going to be able to keep their jobs? And then the class sizes um was the other thing that was really brought up that we kind of stuck on for a while over there. Okay, anybody else? >> Uh, I'll go ahead with my table. Thank you. Quiet size was another topic u with small community feel and if we do have to do it theme was the sooner the better if we're going to do it. And as far as referendum, I don't know if you can hear me. My voice is loud anyway. uh uh basically uh thought it was way too soon. It's a hot button in the community right now. And
025same as Tyler, class size was a big topic. >> Well, it sounds like we're all on the same page here. So, space and class sizes. Um just make a decision was, you know, just make a decision. We keep talking about it. Um, someone had a really good uh point, you know, the demographics, you know, does the school track the death, the burst, the ages of the voters the first time through the referendum, you know, is there a target um class we could focus on? And then if if we were to consider the referendum, you know, highlight our own success stories a little better. >> Yeah. Nothing nothing that They haven't already said class sizes. If if we do this, who's going to help move? Sooner the better. Lots of if if how and when kind
026of questions like do we need to do this? If we don't do this, what happens? Um what's the time frame if we have to make these decisions as far as the referendum goes? Lots of good information just like educating the community about our funding systems, how they work, where the money comes from, why we spend what we spend, and why we have to make some of the moves we made. There's still some confusion as to how all those things work and I want to make sure that people understand what that is, but overwhelmingly it sounds like like the referendum is going to be a struggle in the community as a common theme in my table at least this this soon especially with this much change that could possibly happen. Yeah. >> So, so at my
027table I would say a lot of the same conversations. One thing that I made a note of and I wrote in really big uh load notes was better and clear communication that that is that is more um transparent not not I I didn't get the sense that anybody was accusatory but just that there were things that happened quicker than what they wanted um and and without feeling much much input and I would tell you I got there were several questions came up and I thought yeah we should be able to answer them for um and so I think those are I think those are good questions Um I think uh remember tomorrow there'll be information out. We'll get those out to you. Um you can always reach out to any of the board members. You
028can send them emails. You can you can reach out to us. You can reach out to me and I'll try to get the information you request. Um we'll go from there. Um there the next board meeting is scheduled for April 20th. Um I think the board uh it's up to you folks if you want to meet sooner than that. there's really nothing to do at, you know, this is clearly a work session, so really the only decision you have is if we want to have additional meetings. Um, but I don't know that that's that's obviously your decision, not a me decision. So, I'll leave that up to you. >> Meeting is adjourned. There is nothing. >> Okay. Thank you again so much for coming out. Make sure you sign in. Have a wonderful evening. >>
029You are a great timer. Hi, I'm Welcome. I said ready. Wonderful. have additional problems. I ran by Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, I know it's it's in the book. to make a pretty long They are for their seat. There is sheep. What's that? Sorry. Moing around. >> Mhm. I'm not