Online academies draw students from Richmond schools

Richmond Community Schools lost about 35 students from its enrollment since the start of the school year, many of them to online high school programs offered by other institutions.

That’s according to RCS Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Karen Scalf, who told the RCS board at an Oct. 14 meeting about the results of the Oct. 1 student count day, when the district reports average daily enrollment to the state for purposes of per-student revenue determination. The RCS average reported was 4,098.5 students.

Online and hybrid high school options have increased for Wayne County students in recent months.

Indiana University East welcomed its first cohort of students to its new high school program in August. Centerville-Abington, Northeastern Wayne, Nettle Creek and Western Wayne school districts have announced online and hybrid academy enrollment options this year. Other area districts are exploring similar offerings in hopes of retaining as many students as possible.

Schools receive full state per-pupil funding for hybrid students and 85% of funds for students participating fully online. Educators and student families alike have cited interest in the new learning options, especially for students who might learn better away from large crowds, are a part of homeschooling programs, need scheduling flexibility or who might face health challenges.

Scalf said RCS cash flow projections had been updated to reflect the enrollment and related revenue change.

The board also checked in on strategic planning efforts to improve student achievement, update facilities and ensure the district’s programs align with community needs. Everything from building renovations to boundary line adjustments to staffing changes are on the table, and the board agreed on the need to be proactive in communicating with staff, families and the wider community about opportunities for input and decisions that are made.

Board member Michael Elorreaga said the last time there was a major boundary line change it caused a lot of “upheaval,” and he wants to avoid repeating that. Superintendent Curtis Wright assured the community that there would be plenty of opportunities to engage with the planning process through town halls, informational settings, parent groups and other events.

The board voted to adopt the 2027 advertised budget following a Sept. 16 public hearing. The board also suspended its meeting for a public hearing on an additional appropriation for $6.2 million in bonds, which will pay for elementary construction, deferred maintenance and building updates. No members of the public signed up to speak, and the board unanimously adopted the appropriation and a final bond resolution.

Scalf said the funding would close Oct. 20 to allow routine maintenance and deferred construction projects to proceed soon. She was pleased that the district had received an AA+ bond rating from Standard & Poor, saying it reflected the district’s diligence in financial management, especially in tough economic times.

In other business

• Celebrations: The board honored the Boston Run winners: Adalyn Onwuneme and Messiah Olive (Westview) in third grade and back-to-back champions Lincoln Merk (Hibberd) and Seijuro Ohara (Charles) in fourth grade. Charles Elementary was the overall 2026 champion.
• Josh Amyx, director of career and adult education, highlighted the adult education program, which was named a 2025-26 Program of Excellence by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
• Construction update: Work on the 2024 bond projects is winding down. At Lyboult Field, the tennis court asphalt is finished, with fencing and nets underway and the playing surface due soon, and track striping is still set for October. At the front entrance of the high school, conference rooms are done and the vestibule doors and hardware are finalized. Cracked ballistic glass is being replaced through the manufacturer, and walk-off carpet is to be installed soon. The Fairview tower schedule was adjusted to match its spring 2027 delivery.
• Audit: State Board of Accounts auditors are on site through mid-to-late November for a routine audit, which happens every other year and covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
• Finances: The board approved the September financial reports. The education fund ended the month at about $2.35 million and the operations fund at $4.207 million. Scalf said planned budget reductions continue, with a December 2027 finishing goal.
• Donations: The board accepted $16,725 in September donations.
• Purchasing platform: The board approved starting a subscription to SpendBridge, an online purchasing platform that compares prices from multiple vendors. Scalf said it could save $100,000 at full use and about $50,000 in the first year, with the district easing into it.
• Flood days: The board approved a one-time resolution continuing staff pay for days missed after the August flooding. Staff employed as of Oct. 14, except temporary substitutes, get pay for Aug. 12, 13 and 14. Emergency personnel who reported during the closure are paid for the hours worked, with overtime above 40 hours. Members discussed whether to adopt a policy for future snow days and how to handle pay on partial days.
• 2027-28 calendar: The board approved the 2027-2028 school calendar. Discussion noted the challenges of starting the school year early (Aug. 4 for all students) compared with years past. Student breaks include Oct. 18-22, Nov. 24-26, Dec. 20-Jan. 3 and March 27-31.
• RAM partnership: The board discussed continuing the high school’s facilities and programming partnership with Richmond Art Museum, allowing the organization to expand into underused school space, and how that might interact with future RHS space needs.

Personnel changes

Departures: Martiann Bean, Crestdale Elementary special education aide; Zachary Brock, Richmond High School environmental services; Kara Cole, Early Head Start program aide; Aimee Denton, Westview Elementary special education preschool teacher; Catherine Goodman, Hibberd applied skills aide; Theola McDay, Crestdale Elementary applied skills aide; Carla Montgomery, Westview Elementary special education aide; Alice South, Early Head Start teacher; Alexander Hazelbaker, Richmond High School Esports coach; Trey Rogers, Richmond High School varsity assistant football coach; Warren Guess, Richmond High School varsity assistant football coach

Retirement: Mary Ann Avery, Richmond High School applied skills teacher (effective Dec. 18)

Hires: Dylan Burger, Richmond High School choir accompanist; Marylin Padilla, Richmond High School choir accompanist; Yves DeSince, Hibberd applied skills teacher; Leslie Hall, Vaile Elementary special education aide; Hilary Hundley, Charles Elementary fourth grade teacher; Joann Johnson Revoredo, Early Head Start teacher; Liliana Ramirez Julian, Crestdale Elementary preschool aide; Brooklyn Mitchell, Crestdale Elementary applied skills aide; Rylee Reed, Crestdale Elementary preschool aide; Mara Sauser, Head Start assistant teacher; Jaime Saxton, Richmond High School inclusion aide; Jamie Steele, Fairview Elementary Title I aide; Larry Stout, Crestdale Elementary applied skills aide; Richard Thomas, Head Start maintenance; Michael Williams, Richmond High School environmental services

Reassignments: Bonnie Sawyer-Barker, from Crestdale Elementary special education aide to Head Start bus aide/program aide; Francesca Turner, from Hibberd applied skills aide to district substitute teacher

Extra-duty hires: Isaac Benns, Dylan Burger and Marylin Padilla, Richmond High School assistant choir directors; Danny Capps, Brendan Evans and Brittany Lee, Richmond High School event managers; Andrew Cross, Dennis Middle School boys head soccer coach; Brad Freeman, Richmond High School varsity assistant girls golf coach; Chelsea Howard, Richmond High School HOSA sponsor; Gary Moore, Dennis Middle School NIET mentor teacher; Tanner Puterbaugh, Richmond High School associate band director; Keyanna Rodriquez, district co-intermediate drama director; Benjamin Smith, orchestra director and co-student congress sponsor; Drew Wright, Richmond High School varsity assistant boys soccer coach

Upcoming meetings include a policy session at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 and a regular school board business meeting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18. The public may attend.