Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Wawasee Community School Corporation has begun work on its 2027 budget, with school officials warning changes to the Indiana property tax law could reduce revenue even as the district’s maximum levy is allowed to grow.
Wawasee School Board on Monday approved a resolution to advertise the proposed budget following a presentation from Chief Financial Officer Dr. Brandon Penrod. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8, with adoption planned for Oct. 13.
Penrod said the state’s basic tuition support amount will rise to $7,071 per student, a 1.5% increase from $6,967. However, he cautioned that does not necessarily translate into a 1.5% increase in district revenue because funding depends heavily on enrollment.
“We may not see an overall increase,” Penrod said, noting declining enrollment remains a consideration in preparing the budget.
The district’s maximum levy is expected to be allowed to grow by 7.73%, but Penrod said estimated losses from property tax caps and Senate Enrolled Act 1 total about $596,800. He said the figure is preliminary and could change as more 2027 assessment information becomes available.
The budget process will also include updated capital projects and bus replacement plans. The proposed bus plan calls for replacing two buses in 2027, with additional replacements scheduled through 2031, though Penrod stressed the district would not buy buses unnecessarily if ridership or fleet needs change.
The board also approved several agreements tied to student services. Superintendent Kent Myers said retired special education administrator Tina Northern will continue assisting the district following the recent resignation of Wawasee’s director of exceptional learners.
Myers said he is currently serving as the district’s special education director, while Northern will help special education teachers meet deadlines, maintain compliance with individualized education programs and prepare for the school year.
"I am serving as the director of special ed currently, but she is a great support to meeting with all of our specialized teachers, making sure that we're meeting deadlines, compliant with our IEPs and supporting our staff," Myers said.
The board also renewed an agreement with Tony England, who provides licensed clinical social work supervision for district mental health therapists. The oversight is required for certain mental health services included in student IEPs and allows the district to continue billing Medicaid for eligible services.
Another agreement authorizes MAZI Education to help Wawasee pursue an Opportunity to Learn planning grant. Assistant Superintendent Michelle Walden said the effort could lead to a full grant of up to about $1.5 million aimed at nonacademic barriers to learning, including transportation, food insecurity, out-of-school time and mental health.
MAZI will receive no payment unless Wawasee secures the planning grant, which can be worth up to $75,000. If awarded, half would go toward MAZI's administrative work and half toward district planning activities.
The board also approved the installation proposal for new chillers at Wawasee High School and Wawasee Middle School. The equipment itself was approved in July and has already been ordered because of a roughly 20- to 22-week lead time. Contractor Randy Rupert, of Core Mechanical, said the existing chillers are about 25 years old and near the end of their expected service life. The district approved purchasing replacement systems last month after repeated problems with the aging equipment.
At the close of the meeting, Board President Andy Cripe said trustees are considering returning to one regular meeting per month after about nine months of holding two. Major issues such as policy changes and building projects would still be presented for discussion before a later vote whenever possible.
The Wawasee School Board will next meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 for a work session at the Wawasee Professional Learning Center, 801 S. Sycamore St., Syracuse.
