TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Vigo County Superintendent Chris Himsel acknowledged upcoming changes in the corporation during Monday’s school board meeting.
Himsel read a statement to kick things off– referencing falling graduation rates at VCSC, and saying some some changes will be made to job responsibilities to try and combat the issue, and he clarified no terminations are being recommended as part of this move.
“We are making changes to some of the job responsibilities within our district to help achieve the goal of increasing our graduation rates and to maximize the resources being directed to support each of our schools. We have not recommended any job terminations as part of this reorganization,” he said in part.
Himsel did not clarify what exactly these changes would look like and did not answer questions on the subject afterward. His entire statement is below.
“Before we begin this evening’s meeting of the Board of School Trustees, I want to thank you for being here tonight. The Board and I appreciate your interest in helping us improve our schools. We have much work to do. Unfortunately, in the past 11 years, our graduation rates have steadily fallen. While more than 93% of the Class of 2012 graduated from our schools, less than 78% of the Class of 2023 graduated. When I was hired, I was charged with the task of reversing this trend and increasing our graduation rates. To accomplish that, we must do things differently. We must redirect resources back into our schools. We must develop a mindset of improving each and every day. We are making changes to some of the job responsibilities within our district to help achieve the goal of increasing our graduation rates and to maximize the resources being directed to support each of our schools. We have not recommended any job terminations as part of this reorganization. We appreciate all who are willing to step up and help us change the current trend of our graduation rates for the good of our schools, our kids and our community.”
Statement from Superintendent Himsel
In other business, officials with Gibraltar Design offered their first update on the ongoing facilities study. This will be an ongoing process throughout the year, but as they went through high school and middle school conditions, Himsel said there was plenty of useful information, even this early in the work.
“I think the biggest takeaway from the facilities study is we do have some buildings that are in pretty decent shape, and we’ve got other buildings that need work” he said. “It’s easy to remember the buildings that have been here a long time, it’s harder to remember that the newer buildings are also aging as we go along.”
That full report will be made available on the VCSC website.
Himsel also addressed the financial health of the school following a presentation on the 2023 budget.
“The situation is always dynamic. At the moment, we’re fine,” he said. “But what happens at the next legislative session? What happens with the next biennial budget? What happens with unforeseen circumstances we may have to deal with between now and then? But at the moment, we are in good shape.”
The board also approved a $3,893,523 request to purchase new laptops for kindergarten students and 5th-12th graders as well. Current laptops had reached the end of their lifespan.
