ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 10/13/26

The Elkhart Community Schools Board of School Trustees meeting on October 13, 2026, included a food-service financial report, a public hearing on the 2027 budget and capital and bus-replacement plans, and action on agreements and financing. The food-service update reported that after adjusting for a $636,000 Chartwells invoice paid in July, the 2025–26 fund had an estimated net income of about $97,000, a substantial improvement from losses exceeding $1 million in each of the prior two years; the district transferred just under $400,000 from Rainy Day funds to bring the food-service fund to a zero cash balance. Administrators attributed lower food and labor costs in part to the Chartwells contracting arrangement and said catering agreements found to be financially disadvantageous had been discontinued. The board approved the application for a low-interest Common School Fund loan for technology projects. The public hearing on the 2027 budget, capital projects plan, and bus replacement plan drew no public comment.

The board also approved Elkhart Area Career Center agreements with feeder schools and passed the consent agenda, which included community donations totaling $12,624.73 for district programs and equipment. During public comment, Munger staff asked the board to reconsider a previously denied $500 stipend for extensive pre-opening work; no action on that request is recorded. No specific technology purchases, loan amount, or capital-project awards were identified.