School Board Special Session: November 2, 2026

The School City of East Chicago Board held a special session on November 2, 2026. The board approved the FY2027 Form 4 budget by a 3–2 vote after discussion of the consequences of reverting to the FY2026 budget, including foregoing an estimated net increase of more than $400,000 in property-tax revenue. Administrators said the proposed operating budget had been reduced from about $17 million to just over $13 million. The board also acknowledged the Indiana Department of Education notice that the district did not meet the statutory requirement to spend at least 65% of applicable state tuition support on teacher compensation in FY2026.

The board tabled approval of a revised energy-savings performance contract with Energy Systems Group LLC and tabled related Central High School HVAC items for further review. The ESG proposal, estimated at about $13.4 million, included solar, lighting retrofits, and emergency generators; the vendor projected annual energy savings of roughly $330,000–$360,000 and an IRS tax credit of about $3.6–$4 million. The discussion focused on how the proposal would fit with the district’s bond-funded projects and Central High School work. A separate proposal for construction-manager-as-adviser services was listed at $5,809,715, while the broader HVAC project was estimated at about $11 million; no approval vote on those items occurred after the motions were withdrawn or tabled. A professional-development funding request was not approved, and the board’s attorney advised that paid attendance should not proceed without board approval.