Richmond Community Schools welcomed a new board member and a new board president, heard financial reports, and took steps toward renovations during its Jan. 14 meeting.
Board leadership
New member Cathy Hillard and incumbent Aaron Stevens were sworn in for terms ending in 2029.
Stevens starts his eighth term. He believes he’s the third-longest consecutive school board member in Indiana.
“My purpose on the board still has not changed,” Stevens said. “There are kids out here who need a voice to make sure they’re supported in their classrooms, in their homes and whatever endeavor that they choose to do.”
Hillard, owner of Downtown Deli and Catering Company and Smiley’s Pub & Beer Garden, said she and her husband, Terry, and their children are RHS graduates.
“I’m excited to give back to our community and to our school,” Hillard said.
She replaces John Weber, who didn’t run again.
The board selected Austin Brann as president, Nicole Stults as vice president and Michael Elorreaga as secretary. Brann and Elorreaga will serve in the same roles on RCS’ Board of Finance.
Appointments included Kristen Brunton as policy chair; Stults for Richmond Redevelopment Commission; Hillard as legislative liaison; and Stevens as Indiana School Boards Association delegate.
Teachers’ concerns
Richmond Education Association President Jay Lee said teachers are stressed about potential reductions in force because of expected funding challenges. Lee said administrators told him that cuts will be kept as far from classrooms as possible. While teachers want to help as much as they can with cost containment, Lee said they’re “where the rubber hits the road” for student learning.
Lee also raised concerns about numbers of required teacher meetings, especially in elementaries, that reduce lesson development time. He said one teacher reported having nine meetings in a week.
Finance report
Assistant Superintendent Karen Scalf presented the district’s 2025 financial report and investment summary.
In 2025, RCS’ expenses were $66,731,114.37 and revenue was $64,922.390.11.
Several factors differed from the previous year, including the end of pandemic-relief grants and school improvement Title grants, state funding changes for tuition support, summer school and textbook funds, implementation of Head Start, 2024 renovation bonds, collective bargaining, Richmond High School corridor flooring, and the transition from RCS to Richmond Police Department for resource officer services.
The report is available with other Jan. 14 documents at go.boarddocs.com/in/rcs/Board.nsf/Public.
Board approvals
- Requests to advertise for bids for projects at Richmond High School. They include accessible ramps/walkways at the main entrance plus a new secure entry reception area and waiting area for visitors including a restroom and three meeting rooms.
Existing Career Center restrooms will be demolished and accessible restrooms will be built. Classrooms L106-L116 will be demolished, and renovations are planned for L106-L113 for applied skills. Accessibility improvements will be made to the dropoff area near Door 51 and its vestibule. Athletic work includes the Lyboult practice field, track resurfacing and tennis court replacement.
- A memorandum of understanding allowing Whitewater Community Television to use two Career Center classrooms at no charge. WCTV will provide in-kind services regarding graduation pathways diploma requirements and radio/TV curriculum.
- Policies on election/eligibility to serve, staff evaluation, teacher appreciation grants and drug-free workplaces.
Next meeting
RCS conducts a policy meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The next regular board meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. RCS plans one meeting per month in 2026 instead of two. They’re generally on third Wednesdays.
Both are at the administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. The public is invited.
A version of this article appeared in the January 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.