Nicole Chisley

This 'State of the Schools Address' for Zionsville Community Schools provides an update on the district's operations, achievements, and future plans. Key areas of focus include navigating the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing capital projects such as high school expansion and the development of a sixth elementary school, and maintaining fiscal responsibility despite state funding concerns. The address also highlights the 'Strong in Every Way' initiative, which emphasizes student growth through connections, assets, and cultural understandings, fostering traits like compassion, confidence, determination, ethics, and wellness. Academic priorities center on social-emotional learning, student empowerment, and promoting a sense of belonging, while diversity initiatives aim to provide multiple perspectives and community engagement.

The proceedings included a public hearing concerning SEA 390 tentative agreements with the design community schools, which involved collective bargaining on salary and benefits for teachers, resulting in a proposed 2-year agreement (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027), starting salary increase to $52,500, and step increases for eligible teachers. The meeting also featured a report from Play on Zionsville regarding instrumental music support, including an endowment fund that has provided over $66,000 in instruments since 2015, and updates on the orchestra and band achievements. Furthermore, the Director of Unified Student Services presented on program highlights for students receiving accommodations through Section 504 plans and special education services under IDEA, emphasizing a focus on individualized support, consistency, relationships, and grace. The department reviewed the 514 current Section 504 plans and discussed the comprehensive evaluation process for special education eligibility.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing concerning the proposed transfer and exchange of real estate involving 33.21 acres of vacant land located at 5350 South 650 East Whitestown, Indiana, and 21.5 acres located at 8245 East 300 South Zensville, Indiana, with PY Homes of Indiana LLC. Following the hearing, the regular board meeting opened with public comment, during which a community member voiced concerns regarding recent changes to high school foreign language offerings and the perceived lack of creative solutions for affected students. The superintendent provided construction updates, detailing progress on the baseball/softball fields, the locker room addition, and the early learning and education service center, noting that weather has impacted schedules but progress continues. The board also approved the consent agenda, which included personnel actions such as the introduction of the next assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. New business included a proposal for continued work with the Indiana Business Research Center for enrollment projection studies.

The meeting began with public comments, where a speaker addressed the board regarding ZCS policy on sexual assault and sports teams, advocating for a zero-tolerance policy based on Title IX definitions of sexual assault and fondling. Following public comments, the Superintendent introduced high school world language teachers and a recent graduate to share details about a previously approved trip to Panama. The presentation highlighted student involvement in a community service project to build a restroom facility, including mixing concrete and digging trenches, resulting in 330 volunteer hours and the collection of 450 pounds of donated supplies. Students also conducted a lesson plan on emotional regulation and mental health for local elementary students. Cultural enrichment activities, such as making fabric art, preparing tamales, and participating in ceremonial dances with the Kuna tribe, were also shared. The report concluded with a comprehensive construction update detailing progress on several major projects: the stadium project is complete; updates to electronic temperature control systems (HVAC) at Stonegate and Blue Meadow are underway, with most occupied areas expected to transition before school starts; fire alarm renovations at Pleasant View and the middle school are progressing, aiming for operational status before school begins; tennis court renovations, which changed configuration to three sets of four courts using post-tension concrete, are expected to be ready in early fall; varsity baseball and softball fields are being converted to artificial turf, anticipated for completion in the fall; and sidewalk replacement and drainage improvements at PBE are nearing completion, with concrete work in progress.

The meeting included a presentation and approval of the annual board of finance materials, which involved reviewing fiscal indicators (pertaining to the 2024-2025 school year) and accepting the treasury report detailing 2025 interest earnings and the write-off of stale checks. The session transitioned into the annual reorganization meeting, where the presiding officer called the meeting to order. Key discussion points included updates on state legislative activity affecting K-12 education and school governance, such as proposed bills regarding wireless communication device policies, processed foods and beverages standards, and comprehensive educational adjustments covering academic standards, teacher salary differentials, the potential for a four-day school week, and limits on emergency teaching permits. The Superintendent's report highlighted board member engagement and provided updates on organizational matters, including new financial planning resources on the website and monitoring of current illness trends. Upcoming transition activities like kindergarten registration and fourth-grade transition events were also noted.