Crown Point Community School Corporation Board Meeting Summary

June 22, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.

 

Opening Items

The meeting was called to order by Board President Mr. Smith.

 

Board of School Trustees Resolution of Commendation Awards

Board members voted to approve commendation awards for the following:

• Crown Point High School Bella Voce Choir for winning State Vocal Jazz Championship at the ISSMA state competition – one of eight finalists statewide, with Jayla Miller earning outstanding soloist honors and the soprano section recognized as best in Indiana. Students: Triniti Colbert, Anali Cuevas, Alyce Mehrle, Adeline Sharp, Gracie Stout, Lillian Egan, Delaney Garcia, Ellie Horan, Rana Stevens, Caitlin Ward, Ashley Brei, Julia Murphy, Aurora Schreiber, Melanie Zurbriggen, Rosemary Coronado, Liana Lagos, Jayla Miller, America Vazquez; Director: William Woods

 

• CPHS Speech and Debate Team for receiving 1st place in Lake County at the Munster Hooray for Hollywood tournament and several 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place individual awards at regional tournaments. This year’s team grew to 28 entries at speech sectionals, making it one of the largest in northwest Indiana, with 18 state qualifiers and nine students competing at nationals in Richmond, Virginia. Students: John Van Sickle, Mason Erbini, Karam Erbini, Saumya Mahitkar, Yiser Abdulhassan, Cesar Querimit, Josie Pape, Sebastian Mesa, Sophia Rubio, Charles Sears, Timothy Moore, Ceilla Querimit, Mrunank Patil, Muhammad Khan, Sean Morris, Talia Flores, Rowan Power, Noah Kubik; Coaches: Heidi Marek, Brooke Darnstaedt

 

Public Hearing

• Mr. Smith suspended the regular meeting and opened the public hearing. No patrons were registered to comment. As part of the financial plan to recover from curricular material revenue reductions and special education expenditure growth, an appropriation from the rainy day fund to the education fund was presented. These funds, effective through December 31, 2026, will help offset budget reductions impacting the school year, particularly expenses between July and December. Board members approved Resolution #875 and closed the public hearing.

 

Patrons’ Comments

No patrons were registered to comment.

 

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was approved as presented.

 

Action Items

• 6.01 IDOE Digital Learning Grant: The board approved applying for and receiving $37,500 from the Indiana Department of Education’s Digital Learning Grant to fund a second year of the MagicSchool AI platform, which provides teachers and students with safe, curriculum-aligned tools for building AI literacy and supporting personalized learning.
• 6.02 Federal Title Grants – Pre-application: The board authorized filing the 2026–2027 pre-application for Federal Title Grants to support at-risk learners, multilingual learners, and professional development for teachers and staff.
• 6.03 Childcare Fee Increase: The board approved a $1.00 increase per session for the district’s before and after school childcare program, bringing the cost to $10.00 per session for 2026–2027. The program, which runs from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and after school until 6:00 p.m. at all elementary buildings, is self-funding and the increase helps align fees with actual program costs as staffing has increased.
• 6.04 Student Handbook Revisions and Additions: The board approved waiving the reading of and adopting updated student handbooks for the 2026–2027 school year. The most significant change reflects new Indiana state code on personal electronic devices. Administrative guidelines for violations will be developed separately at the building level.
• 6.05 Resolution #876 – Referendum Tax Levy: The board approved Resolution #876 to place an operating referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to recover the losses the district will incur under Senate Enrolled Act 1. Under this new legislation, the district will lose millions of dollars each year in its operations and education funds. If passed, the referendum would run through 2034 and fund educational stability, teacher and staff retention, class sizes, transportation, and student support programs in response to the state funding reductions. If passed, it replaces the previous referendum renewal from 2025.
• 6.06 Resolution #877 – Permanent Transfer of Funds: The board approved two routine fund transfers required by the State Board of Accounts: $2,062 from the Education Fund to the Eisenhower Endowment Fund, and $14,455.47 from the School Lunch Fund to the Operations Fund.
• 6.07 Appointments by the Board and Accompanying Bond Amounts: The board approved annual appointments of business office and building-level treasurers with accompanying bond amounts effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
• 6.08 Transportation Software Renewal: The board approved a five-year renewal agreement with Synovia Solutions for GPS and route management software at $43.40 per unit per month for 100 buses, totaling $52,080 annually. The district has used Synovia since at least 2021 and selected them again after receiving and comparing quotes from other vendors.
• 6.09 Strategic Plan Framework: The board approved a three-year Strategic Plan Framework developed through a semester-long collaborative process facilitated by the Indiana School Boards Association and involving nearly 50 stakeholders including teachers, parents, community members, and administrators. The framework includes an updated mission statement (“We are a partnership of students, families, staff, and community creating meaningful opportunities for all”), a new vision (“Pursue Your Excellence”), and a renewed commitment to the district’s six core values: College & Career, Creativity, Culture, Courage, Connection, and Citizenship.

 

Information/Recognition Items

• 7.02 Assistant Superintendent: Mr. Gianfermi shared that this summer’s leadership series, a five-day program for all directors, principals, and assistant principals, will focus entirely on implementing the newly approved strategic plan at the building and grade levels. He also recognized Taft SRO Brandon Norris, who was named State SRO of the Year at the Indiana State School Resource Officers Association conference, receiving 29 individual letters of recommendation from students, staff, and community members.
• 7.03 Chief Human Resource Officer: Mr. Equihua thanked the HR team, building leaders, and central office staff for completing the annual extracurricular activity mass rollover on the personnel agenda, a two-month process that ensures all staff are fully paid for their roles at the start of the school year. He also noted that while the district had a smaller hiring season, the positions filled required niche expertise and talented candidates were successfully secured.
• 7.04 Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Ruess recognized the district’s grounds crew for their exceptional work maintaining facilities despite weeks of heavy rain and wet conditions.
• 7.05 Director of Communications: Mrs. Allen reminded families that registration opens July 22 and highlighted upcoming community engagement opportunities including a story time at the Crown Point Library and National Night Out with the Crown Point Police Department, where staff will assist families with registration and back to school questions.
• 7.06 Superintendent of Schools: Dr. Terrill read aloud the district’s newly approved mission and vision statements for the first time and recognized the class of 2026 graduation ceremony. He also acknowledged new district administrators who have already begun working in their buildings ahead of their July 1 start date.

 

Other Business of the Board of School Trustees

• 8.01 Appointment of Board Secretary: Following the resignation of Mr. Vassar, the board appointed David Warne as Secretary of the Board of School Trustees, effective at the close of the meeting through the January 2027 reorganization meeting.
• 8.02 Appointment of School Board Member: The board appointed Thomas Hoffman to fill the vacated board seat through December 31, 2026. Board members expressed appreciation for Mr. Hoffman’s willingness to return and noted his prior experience on the board and deep connection to the school community. The board also extended thanks to Mr. Vassar for his three and a half years of service.
• 8.03 Oath of Office: Mrs. Green administered the Oath of Office to Thomas Hoffman, who was welcomed back to the board.

 

Board Statements of Appreciation and Recognition

• Board members expressed appreciation to Dr. Terrill and the administrative cabinet for navigating significant financial and structural changes related to Senate Act 1 while keeping student achievement and staff wellbeing at the forefront.
• Members congratulated the class of 2026 on a smooth and well-run graduation ceremony, specifically recognizing student speakers Mason Erbini and Caesar Querimit.
• Congratulations were also extended to all spring athletic and extracurricular teams, including girls lacrosse, which finished as state runner-up in its first year as an official IHSAA sport.
• The board discussed filling Mr. Vassar’s vacant seat on the Crown Point Redevelopment Commission, with board member Scott Angel volunteering to serve in that role through January 2027.