Regular Board Meeting 4/27/26

The South Bend Community School Corporation held its Regular Board Meeting on April 27, 2026, where several procurement and contract-related matters were addressed. Key procurement actions included the approval of a $674,000 contract with Midland Engineering for the emergency re-roofing of Adams High School's gym, and a change order for HVAC system upgrades involving VFD drives at Riley High School. The board also approved the renewal of a Level Data Services agreement supporting student and staff account provisioning and transportation software integration. A significant contract approval was the adoption of new 9th through 12th grade ELA textbooks valued at approximately $700,000, selected through a committee process emphasizing updated, student-centered materials. Additionally, wage adjustments for non-certified employees were approved, and the board ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 364, standardizing wages and benefits for paraprofessionals and instructional aides. The meeting included discussion and approval of revised job descriptions for district efficiency and automation management roles aimed at operational cost savings. The board postponed action on a contract related to the Gear Up program, a federally funded initiative to support college readiness for low-income students, which was extensively presented and discussed with data on program outcomes and community partnerships. Consent agenda items, including financial reports and personnel decisions, were approved with clarifications on contracts for specialized staffing solutions and student programs. Overall, the meeting focused on capital improvement projects, contract renewals, wage negotiations, and program funding decisions impacting educational services and operational efficiency.