Mark Clinkenbeard

This document presents a feasibility study outlining options and considerations for a new high school for the Vigo County School Corporation. The study focuses on achieving optimum learning environments, advancing secondary education, and preparing students for higher education and workforce development. Key areas include facility planning for flexible and responsive environments, curriculum alignment, community partnerships, and sustainable future-forward design. It details preliminary concepts for major programs, site and floor plans, potential expansions, and budget considerations, aligning these with the corporation's long-term goals for student learning, opportunity, and achievement.

The February 10, 2026 meeting agenda primarily focused on appropriations and salary ordinances for various county departments and funds. Key items included a Resolution of Re-Allocation of Existing Appropriation 2026-1 for the Health Department concerning Griffin Bike Park Building Costs, and numerous Additional Appropriations for 2026 such as funding for the Parks Department's B2 Program, Health Department requests for Crossroads Care Clinic, New Life Fellowship Compassion Ministries Food Pantry, and Thrive West Central, as well as funding for Community Corrections (Pre-Trial Screener Salary and Employee Benefits), Family Court Project, Veteran's Court Salary Supplement, Prosecutor's Office Victim Assistance Assistant Director Salary, a Forensic Audit Request, and general budget adjustments for the General Fund and various other funds. The Council also addressed amended salary ordinances for General Employees, Court Staff, and Prosecutors and Public Defenders. The document also contains minutes from previous meetings held in November 2025 and January 2026, which were subject to approval/correction.

The meeting covered the approval of minutes from previous meetings, including the November 4th, 2025 Sunshine Meeting, the November 12th, 2025 meeting, the December 10th, 2025 Special Meeting, the December 29th, 2025 Special Meeting, and the January 6th, 2026 Organizational Meeting. Communications from elected officials included an update regarding the Bele County Assessor's need for an appropriation for new software, with clarification that payment is not due until 2027. A significant portion of the meeting involved presentations and updates from the Veo County School Corporation Facilities Oversight Board regarding their process for evaluating school corporation facility plans, understanding financing through Stiffel, and touring high schools. The Board noted their due diligence involves financial and legal guidance from Tim Barry of Crow and Jacob German of Barnes and Thornberg, and they plan to hear cost estimates for a potential new high school. Furthermore, thanks were extended for contributions to the warming center operations.

The meeting commenced with the election of officers, resulting in the nomination and confirmation of Larry Robbins as President and Evan Miller as Vice President. A key agenda item involved the assessment of drainage ditches. It was reported that only the Lakewood West watershed, comprising 33 lots, required assessment at a rate of $20 per lot, as all other ditches were currently at maximum assessment levels. The board approved this assessment. Discussions also covered planned future work on Swope Ditch and Cox One. For Swope Ditch, plans involve renting a Long Reach excavator for work, coordinating with the farmer for material stacking and subsequent tilling. Coordination with the highway department was discussed for potential work on Cox One using standard equipment. Finally, it was noted that future meetings will be held in the current location to allow for televising.

The Vigo County Election Board meeting addressed several key resolutions for the 2026 election cycle. Discussions included the approval of Resolution 2026-01 concerning the selection of the chairman, which resulted in the re-election of Jerry Arnold. Resolution 2026-02 involved the approval of 17 vote centers, detailing 28-day, seven-day, and election-day-only locations. Resolution 2026-03 concerned the required publication of voting system instruction cards in English and Braille. Furthermore, the board reviewed the vote system inventory and addressed delinquent campaign finance filings, granting an extension to Kevin Beaver for one week to file his report before imposing potential fines. Finally, the board processed the dissolution of several campaign finance committees due to qualifying criteria such as inactivity, low cash-on-hand balances, or the candidate having passed away, including committees for David Phelps, Gary Grryer, Jim Griffin, Gloria Mount, Mel Burks, Donald E. Bruitt, John Pli, and Benjamin Pence.