RCS moving fifth graders back to elementary

Richmond Community Schools committed to returning fifth graders to its elementary schools for the 2027-2028 school year.

Fifth graders previously were in elementary schools before RCS moved all fifth and sixth graders to Test Intermediate School and all seventh and eighth graders to Dennis Middle School.

Nicole Stults, board vice president, said the discussion to move fifth grade back to elementary has been discussed for quite a while, and community views were favorable during several points of strategic planning. She said the move supports RCS’ efforts to align curriculum, reduce transitions and support improved student achievement.

The moves are expected to cost more than $5 million in construction expenses.

LWC Inc. produced a list of low and high probable construction costs to the board for each of the district’s six elementary buildings. RCS’ board considered them at its Wednesday, June 17, meeting.

The highest projection was between $1,836,492.16 and $2,154,186.75 for Crestdale Elementary, followed by Fairview at $896,797.39 to $986,477.13.

Vaile was next ($824,958.63 to $907,454.50) then Starr ($515.314.68/$733,990.46), followed by Charles ($464,162.39 to $510,578.62).

Westview was the lowest ($324,820.91 to $357,303).

When bond issuance ($250,000) and other soft costs ($100,000) are added, the low estimate is $5,212,546.17 and high is $5,999,990.47.

The board vote was 6-0; Kym Pickering was absent.

Contracts/memorandums

The board also approved:

• FinalSite, based in Connecticut, for $17,400 for its website with annual renewal at $15,500. Alex Hazelbaker, technology director, said the recommendation aligns with the district’s strategic planning and offers significantly improved digital tools for community engagement, communications and marketing.
• AdTec of Centerville for Federal Communications Commission E-Rate support and services. E-Rate provides discounts to eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications/internet access. AdTec would receive $7,300 in 2027.
• Richmond Family YMCA to continue providing after-school care and Simon Youth Academy for its alternative education program at Richmond High School.
• A board resolution on compensation effective June 17-Dec. 31. Board members will receive $2,000 annually plus $150 per diem to attend regular board meetings and $75 for special board meetings, committee meetings and executive sessions.

Indiana allows boards to earn up to 10% of its teachers’ lowest starting salary plus Indianapolis Public Schools’ per diem ($150/$75).

RCS’ lowest teacher salary is $4,600, so the board could have increased the stipend years ago. Stults said the stipend was set at $2,000 43 years ago.

No job cuts, yet

Richmond Community Schools didn’t reduce its number of jobs at its June 17 board meeting, but is continuing discussion and will revisit that topic before a key deadline.

The board announced on June 18 that it would meet in executive session Monday, June 22, to discuss a potential reduction in force. Then on June 19, it canceled that executive session. The board is expected to have a public meeting on or before June 30, where a vote could be taken, but no time or date was available before WWN’s publishing deadline.

According to a 2025 summary of teachers’ rights from Indiana’s attorney general’s office, teachers must be notified in writing that their contract is being canceled because of a reduction in force between May 1 and July 1.

Like many area districts, RCS is facing financial challenges because of declining enrollment and new state funding cuts through property tax reforms more formally known as Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1.

RCS officials have noted taking various cost-saving measures in recent months, initially saying they were trying to keep cuts as far from the classroom as possible.

It briefly appeared some potential cuts could have been made at the June 17 meeting.

A document attached to the meeting agenda on RCS’ website on June 16 indicated the board would consider a recommendation from its human resources department during its action items to cut 19 positions, ranging from certified teachers to classified staff and­ administrators.

RCS must post board agendas at least 48 hours in advance of board meetings to comply with Indiana’s public meeting requirements.

While no names were listed, just the position and their building, three administrators whose unique positions could have been cut were at that time also listed on a related document. They were on the changes-in-assignment section of RCS’ human resources consent agenda to be hired for different positions. While administrators are tasked with making personnel decisions, those decisions ultimately require board approval.

However, by the time of the meeting, the RIF list and the related changes in assignments on the human resources agenda had been removed from the RCS website. RCS traditionally hasn’t announced pending personnel changes during board meetings. The board votes on the document as a whole, sometimes containing long lists of names, along with other consent items.

Near the end of the meeting, board members noted the removal of the RIF after they realized a newly published Western Wayne News article was based on the original meeting agenda documents. WWN staff retracted the article and explained the correction in less than an hour after RCS administrators alerted WWN of the error.

As part of the RIF discussion, board secretary Michael Elorreaga said he’s asking administrators for a cost analysis of the administration, teacher and student turnover in the last five years and what financial impact that has on the district, and the effects turnover has had on teachers, students and classrooms. He asked how many students have been lost and how many teachers have trained and worked in Richmond for the last three, two or one years and then left the district.

In other business

Construction projects are underway at RHS, including demolition of tennis courts, where multiple layers of asphalt were found. Work has begun on handicapped accessible ramps and a new doorway for the high school’s secured entrance. The first ramp is to be done by July 1.

Fairview’s tower work has been delayed to address structural integrity concerns.

Policy revisions were approved on topics including compensation and drug/alcohol testing for commercial driver’s license holders after multiple readings.

First readings took place on policies including personal communication devices, assignment of students to schools and programs within RCS and equivalent instruction for compulsory attendance compliance purposes (homeschooling and non-accredited schools).

Board members discussed pros and cons of allowing elementary or middle school students to participate in extracurricular activities if they only take one course in the district. While some believe activities could be a recruitment tool, several favor requiring students to attend at least half time because RCS would then receive tuition dollars for them.

The board’s next policy work session is 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, and regular meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Both are in the administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway. The public is invited.