MCCSC Projects More Than $30 Million Funding Loss Under SEA 1 as District Pushes Toward Financial Balance

Written from press release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Monroe County Community School Corporation could lose more than $30 million in funding over the next five years under Senate Enrolled Act 1, even as district leaders work to stabilize the school system’s finances.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 18, the MCCSC Board of School Trustees approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Monroe County Education Association for the 2025–27 contract period and heard an update on the financial impact of SEA 1.

Chief Financial Officer Matt Irwin told the board that a new analysis from Policy Analytics projects MCCSC will lose more than $30 million between 2026 and 2031 due to the law. That includes an estimated $3–4 million per year in lost referendum revenue and about $1.8 million annually by 2031 from charter school revenue sharing.

In October, consultant Barry Gardner of Policy Analytics briefed the board on SEA 1’s likely effects. The latest projections quantify those losses, which district officials say come on top of broader financial strain already facing public schools and local governments across Indiana.

“As we look at these headlines, we are seeing and hearing more and more about the numerous examples of budget cuts and staffing cuts across all forms of government. SEA 1 is impacting everyone, everywhere,” Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston said.

Irwin and Winston also presented a quarterly update on MCCSC’s 2-Year Strategy to Achieve Financial Balance, launched in February. Irwin said the district has strengthened its cash position over the past nine months but warned that rising costs and future revenue losses leave little room for comfort.

“Significant progress has been made but we’re not there yet,” Irwin said, noting that monthly expenses in the Education Fund can exceed $9 million. “To give another piece of context, in the Education Fund — some of the expenses in an individual month could be a little over $9 million in one month. So if you look at the numbers right now, our [Education] Fund balance at the end of the year is less than that … That’s not sufficient.”

Winston said the district remains committed to maintaining strong classroom instruction and student support despite financial “headwinds.”

“In spite of the headwinds that we are facing at this moment in time … the quality instruction in our classrooms and support services that our children deserve and our community expects are going to continue,” she said. “It will have to look different because we will have fewer dollars to do what we’re accustomed to doing, but we’re going to deliver on those promises.”

Former Herald-Times property

The board also heard an update on the former Herald-Times property, which MCCSC purchased and is currently using for storage and additional bus parking.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations Dr. Jeffry Henderson shared facts about the site to help guide future decisions. The property includes six usable acres, a 77,000-square-foot building and parking space.

“When this administrative team began its tenure, no formal written plan for the use of this property existed,” Henderson said. “As we plan for the future, there are a number of decision-making considerations that need to be analyzed.”

Board members said they want to hear from the public about potential uses for the site. They asked Winston to share information about the property with community members, families and staff and to gather feedback by March 2026.

Redistricting study and recognitions

MCCSC leaders also provided an update on the corporation’s Redistricting Study. Dr. Blaine Garman-McClaine outlined how research, available on the MCCSC website, is informing the process.

As part of its regular practice, the board recognized students and staff for outstanding work. Bloomington High School North student Rex Speer was honored for his service and leadership. Grandview Elementary intermediate inclusion teacher Abby Brim was recognized for excellence in instruction. Bloomington High School North teachers Michiko Owaki, Japanese language, and Hongzhi Wang, Chinese language, were recognized for awards they received from the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association.

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