Richmond Community Schools is investing in student technology and financial projections, and it is again running short on bus drivers.
Chromebooks
At its March 18 meeting, the school board approved seeking bids for 700 Chromebooks.
Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, RCS has proposed adopting a student device life cycle of approximately four years. This purchase begins that replacement cycle.
RCS officials say students are currently using devices that no longer meet minimum requirements, creating logistical problems in device distribution and spare device management.
Busing
Angela Linville of Student Transit offered an update on bus transportation. She said RCS overcame nationwide driver shortages until recently.
They’ve lost 10 drivers since the beginning of the school year, although some stayed as subs. Three were hired and two are training. Recruiting efforts are underway, but candidates need to pass background checks and other standards.
Although two routes were dissolved into existing routes, she noted frequent communication with schools and parents, along with positive feedback.
Student Transit has had seven incidents this year; six involved damage to a bus. Parents are contacted when students are present. Those drivers undergo retraining or take refresher courses.
Finances
Karen Scalf, assistant superintendent of business and finance, said RCS began February with a balance of $12,064,471.79. It decreased by $1,305,708.35 to $10,758,763.44.
“Our cash position doesn’t look super great,” Scalf said. “It is early in the year and we have some work to do on the budget, which we are very aware of.”
She noted primary debt service and operations funding comes in June and December; most grant funds are reimbursed, which means cash reserves are needed; and there’s been an extremely long delay in receiving RCS’ $1.3 million reimbursement in Title I funds, and the first time they could be requested through Indiana Department of Education was the previous week. School buses that were on order all of 2025 just arrived and were paid for.
Also at the meeting, RCS’ board hired Indianapolis-based Policy Analytics for $12,500 to provide property tax base and revenue analysis related to Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1’s impact.
Tobacco usage
Andrew Hoover, Reid Health’s tobacco control coordinator, discussed prevention and quitting efforts underway at RCS. Reid offers services to organizations including tabling events, educational workshops and coalition partnerships. They’ve talked with 657 kids at Dennis and Test, and were to appear at an RHS lunch.
Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey says one in 20 Indiana high school students and one in 30 middle schoolers report tobacco use in the last 30 days. Many are attracted to flavored products, such as fruit and chocolate.
Board approvals
- Leasing former RCS police vehicles to the City of Richmond for school resource officers to use through March 2029. They won’t be part of Richmond Police Department’s daily fleet. RPD officer Aaron Stevens abstained from the vote.
- Agreements with Thor Construction for RHS’ secure entrance construction ($816,000) and with Pridemark Construction for demolition/reconstruction of six classrooms ($902,500) and RHS Career Center restroom renovations ($331,730). Bids were approved at a previous meeting. Funds come from the 2024 Leasehold Bond.
- A 2027 French language trip to Canada and Skills USA trip to state competition.
- Policies on executive sessions and retaking courses. The board delayed voting on a board compensation policy.
In other business
- Board members Kym Pickering, Nicole Stults, Cathy Hillard and Michael Elorreaga and Superintendent Curtis Wright attended the Consortium of State School Boards Associations’ national conference in Louisville.
- RCS is considering moving high-ability, Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math and special education programs from Hibberd Program Building, but no decision was made.
Science teacher Sarah Hasecoster said average class size becomes a key discussion topic during financial challenges. She urged remembering that Hibberd’s three programs are separate and have unique needs instead of averaging them together when evaluating staffing.
Next meeting
The board meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in RCS’ administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway. The public is invited.
A version of this article appeared in the April 1 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.