Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees adopts 2027 budget
The spending plan assumes the proposed referendum passes; district staff said a defeat could mean substantial cuts to current operations.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — adoption of 2027 budget, capital projects, board directs demolition of unsafe orchard, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Cash reserves have declined, and district staff discussed financing buses through debt to free operations money for rebuilding those reserves.
A school budget now rests on a referendum’s uncertain outcome. The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees adopted its 2027 budget, capital projects plan and bus replacement plan. The vote followed a public hearing on October 7th. A district finance official said the budget still goes to the state for approval and would take effect January 1.
The plan assumes the proposed referendum passes. Asked what would happen if it fails, the finance official said the existing operating referendum would remain in place until 2031. But state changes affecting assessed values and property tax revenue would leave the district with less money. He said he would recommend substantial reductions to current operations without the new referendum. Trustees discussed rising insurance costs, teacher pay, retirement contributions and enrollment losses. One trustee said the district had already made cuts while trying to maintain class sizes and programs.
The finance official said the district has used bond funds for some facility maintenance and repairs previously paid from operations. He raised the possibility of financing buses through debt in 2027 instead of paying from the operations fund, which could leave more money to rebuild cash reserves. State law still requires certain costs to be paid from operations, he said. Trustees asked about reserve targets and future spending needs. Staff said utilities, health insurance and retroactive employee pay could require additional appropriations before the end of December.
Board Directs Demolition of Unsafe Orchard Park Elementary
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees unanimously declared a former elementary school building unsafe and directed the superintendent to take steps toward demolition. A water main ruptured beneath the building on October 14, 2026. Maintenance workers found approximately 4 feet of standing water in the boiler room. Flooding damaged infrastructure, and the building no longer has heat. The playground and surrounding grounds are closed to the public.
District staff and outside professionals described damage to the building’s mechanical systems, erosion beneath its floor and structural movement. Asked whether repairs or saving a newer section were feasible, a district representative said either option would require more investigation. Repairing one system could still leave other aging systems in place, he said, while a smaller retained section would still need essential building systems.
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees directed the superintendent to assess potential educational uses for the site by March 31, 2027. Options listed in the resolution include early education, special education and multilingual learner services, and outdoor education. The vote did not settle the site’s future use; the trustees retain approval authority over applicable contracts and transactions.
School trustees review September finances and reserves
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees received September financial results, including a $1 million transfer to the rainy day fund. Staff said they expect to bring additional spending requests to trustees in November, while one trustee asked that future reports show the rainy day fund separately.
Separating the rainy day fund would make its balance and any proposed use easier for residents to track.
School trustees approve contract with teachers
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees approved the 2026–2027 contract with the Carmel Teachers Association in a 5–0 vote after offering public comment; no one spoke. The agreement provides salary schedule increases and an increment if the referendum passes, while teachers’ share of insurance premiums will rise.
The pay increases depend on the referendum, tying the agreement to the district’s next revenue decision.
School trustees approve new high school courses
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees approved new high school courses for the 2027–2028 program of studies. Trustees had discussed the proposals at their September 23 regular session; the source did not list the courses.
The approval gives the district permission to add the courses to its 2027–2028 offerings.
School trustees examine ILEARN results and gaps
The Carmel Clay Schools Board of School Trustees heard a report on ILEARN results and achievement gaps among student groups. The district ranked second among Indiana districts in English language arts, math and science, and first in social studies; staff cautioned that the redesigned test limits comparisons with earlier years.
The results show strong districtwide rankings while identifying student groups that need more academic support.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
CARMEL had 11 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Resolution to Transfer Education Fund to Operations Fund. The board approved a resolution authorizing an annual transfer from the education fund to the operations fund to align state funding with non-classroom expenses such as utilities, custodial services, and maintenance.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncements of Upcoming Meetings and School Closures. The board announced upcoming meeting dates and school closures, including a November workshop and regular session, Thanksgiving break closures, and the final board meeting of the calendar year in December.
- GOVERNANCESuperintendent’s Report: Rankings, Project ADAM Designations, National Merit Recognition, and Festival Orchestra. The superintendent reported that Carmel Clay Schools ranked #1 in Indiana in Niche’s 2027 ratings, 15 schools earned Project ADAM Heart Safe designation, Carmel High School recognized 65 National Merit semifinalists, and the 8th grade Festival Orchestra concert was held at the Palladium.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion: Updating the School Board Meeting Agenda Format (Old/Unfinished Business, New Business, and Board Member Comments). The board discussed potential changes to agenda structure, including renaming action/discussion sections to old/unfinished business and new business, adding board member comments, and reviewing bylaws and board norms to support the changes.
- GOVERNANCEStudents Recognized for Rescuing Family from Retention Pond. The district recognized two students who rescued a grandmother and two young children from a retention pond during fall break. A parent thanked wellness teachers for teaching life-saving skills and the Carmel Swim Club for helping the family develop swimming skills.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of 2027 School Board Meeting Dates. The board approved the recommended 2027 school board meeting dates after staff reviewed the calendar to minimize conflicts with holidays, school breaks, and the first day of school.
- GOVERNANCEOpening Public Comment Period (No Speakers). The board noted that public comment would typically occur next, but only one person had signed up, so the board moved directly to the action item.
- GOVERNANCEPublic Comment (Opening) — No Speakers. The board noted that public comment would typically occur at this point, but no one had signed up to speak, so the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
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