10-21-2026 CCS School board Meeting

The Carmel Clay Schools Board of Trustees’ regular meeting on October 21, 2026, included consideration of routine consent items, the 2026–27 teachers’ contract, and the 2027 budget, capital projects plan, and bus replacement plan. The consent agenda included Carmel High School 2026 improvements and change orders for Cherry Tree Elementary renovations; a motion was made to approve the consent items as a group, though the vote result is not captured in the transcript. A motion was also made to approve the teachers’ contract. The proposed terms included a 2% increase to salary schedules plus increments, a 1% stipend for teachers at the top of the schedule, an additional $200 annually for teachers with a literacy endorsement, and an 8% increase in teachers’ insurance-premium contributions; the recorded transcript does not include the vote result. The board discussed adopting the budget, capital projects plan, and bus replacement plan, but the final vote is likewise not captured clearly.

Budget discussion focused on financial pressures and the pending referendum. Administrators described an approximately $165 million budget and said it assumes the referendum passes; if it fails, the district could need to consider $10–15 million in operating reductions. The discussion cited an estimated $8 million safety-referendum levy expiring at the end of 2027, rising insurance and retirement costs, and a goal of building cash reserves to at least 16% (with a stated upper range of about 24%). The board also reviewed monthly fund balances and heard that staff would reassess spending for SRO services and provide updated figures in November. Other agenda topics included student achievement data, proposed board-agenda changes, and recognition of students and staff. No vendor selection or new vendor contract award was identified.