During a meeting including an extensive review of the district’s financial health, Richmond Community Schools’ board agreed to pursue bonds for several renovations to its elementary buildings and were pleased to learn the district’s enrollment is apparently holding steady.
The Sept. 16 meeting included public hearings for several 2026 and 2027 financial matters. The school board also delayed voting on the proposed 2027-28 calendar to gather more community and employee feedback.
Finances
Karen Scalf, assistant superintendent for business and finance, reviewed 2027 budget and capital project plans. She said while some aspects of the district’s finances are improving, changes imposed by the state legislature haven’t been fully felt yet, and further expense reduction will be needed.
Scalf and Superintendent Curtis Wright acknowledged difficult cuts have impacted nearly every department, including supplies, contract services and personnel. Scalf said property tax caps will keep RCS from receiving an estimated $4,799,900 — the highest gap the district has faced — up from $4,426,933.91 last year.
RCS is advertising a school operating maximum levy of $12,141,123, and budget estimates of $42,173,768 (education fund), $4,988,875 (debt service) and operations ($22,306,860) totaling $69,469,503.
Enrollment appears to have stabilized, with RCS only losing four students since the last school year, compared with larger declines in previous years. RCS receives $8,385.85 per student from Indiana, which is higher than many districts.
Scalf said RCS hopes to afford limited facility needs such as routine maintenance, technology, a partial roof replacement for Richmond High School’s cafeteria/career center, replacing aging administration restroom fixtures and some asphalt if funds allow.
She said Richmond High School is now seeing savings of “more than six digits” on energy bills after heating and cooling upgrades.
RCS plans to adopt the budget at its 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 meeting in the administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway. The public is invited.
Renovations
Scalf presented proposals for elementary school renovations with 2026 bonds totaling $6.2 million that would be paid in seven years.
Although plans vary for each of the six elementaries, several involve safety, such as improving entrance security and adding doors to separate connected classrooms.
All buildings would get mechanical controls upgrades.
Four buildings would have existing spaces converted into additional classrooms. Some will get additional space for kitchen storage and repair/replacement of failing casework.
A few of the needs are unique to each school. Charles could get playground fencing, while Crestdale could receive Americans with Disabilities Act access at its main entrance including an exterior ramp, more restrooms in classrooms, dividing the media center to provide STEAM space and parking expansion. Starr’s music and special education classrooms could be renovated, along with Fairview’s space conditioning for its server room. Vaile’s courtyard could be enclosed for additional administration and small group spaces.
Once contracts are received, reprioritization might be needed.
The board voted 6-0 for related resolutions; Aaron Stevens was absent.
Calendar
Families and staff still can give feedback on the proposed 2027-28 calendar. Board members tabled approval until October following questions about when and how it had been shared within the district.
The proposed first student day would be Aug. 4 (Aug. 3 for ninth graders). Students would be off Oct. 7 (parent-teacher conferences), Oct. 18-22, Nov. 24-26, Dec. 22-Jan. 4 and March 27-31. Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents Day would be make-up days if needed. School would end May 18; graduation would be June 4.
In other business
- The deadline to register via RCS’ website for the Red Devil Ambassador Program is Oct. 1. It’s a seven-session, behind-the-scenes look at the district for residents wanting to learn more about the schools.
- Retired teacher Erica Pearson, a volunteer mentor in three schools, encouraged recruitment of more volunteers for weekly meetings with students and improved communication regarding background check results.
- RCS’ policy meeting will be from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the administration building. The public is invited.
A version of this article appeared in the September 23 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
